Far Eastern Curlew
IUCN Red-List: Endangered
The Far-eastern Curlew is our largest shorebird—the largest in the world! This bird’s impressive curved bill is so long that if one turns its head it will touch its tail! The Far-eastern Curlew breeds in Russia and Northeastern China, including Mongolia. The species only lives within our flyway, and around 73% of the population spend the non-breeding season in Australia. This means that Australians have a special responsibility to protect this Curlew and its habitat. Sadly, this fantastic bird is critically endangered in Australia, and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Over the last 30 years, the Far-eastern Curlew has declined by 30-49% in Australia. Unfortunately, the biggest threat to this species is habitat loss in key staging (resting) areas along the flyway, outside of Australia. This means that international education, cooperation and management is key.
When in Australia, the Far-eastern Curlew prefers mudflats that have seagrass beds, and probes its huge bill deep into the mud to pull out crabs and molluscs. It can easily be picked out of a flock of shorebirds by its sheer size and bill length. On the odd occasion that a vagrant Eurasian Curlew makes it across, they can be separated based on plumage.
Meet the other shorebirds!
Written by Cathy Cavallo © 2017 Header image: Bill Betts Map: Amellia Formby Eastern Curlew images: Dan Weller