Eurasian Curlew

Numenius arquata

Family: Sandpipers and Allies · Status: Very rare migrant · Size: 50–60 cm · Conservation: Near Threatened

Range

Breeds from Western Europe across to Russia, Mongolia, and northeastern China. Winters from Europe and Africa east to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Greater Sundas.

Identification

Large shorebird with a massive decurved bill. Shows plain head pattern with indistinct supercilium – lacks the dark crown stripe and eyestripe of Eurasian Whimbrel. Head and neck grey-buff with thin dark streaks, belly white, and upperparts buffy-brown with dark feather cen. Juvenile has more buff on breast and buff spotting on upperparts. In flight, shows a white rump and pale, largely unmarked underwings. Far Eastern Curlew is warmer and darker below with a heavier, longer bill, darker back, dark rump, and densely barred underwings in flight.

Habitat

Intertidal mudflats, sandflats, coastal wetlands, and wet grassland.

Behaviour

Associates with Eurasian Whimbrel in Singapore.