Far Eastern Curlew

This species is defined as a Review Species . Please submit your records of this species via our record submission page .

Scientific Name: Numenius madagascariensis

Malay Name: Kendi Besar Timur

Chinese Name: 大杓鹬

Range: Breeding Range: East and South-east Siberia, North-east China. Wintering mainly in Australia.

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 60-66 cm

Identification: A large wader similar to the Eurasian Curlew, but larger and longer billed and appears more uniform with browner/buffier underparts. In flight shows uniform light brown back and rump and heavily marked underwings.

Similar looking species: Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew

Habitat: Mudflats and sandflats.

Behaviour/Ecology: Generally congregates in large flocks to migrate or roost but may feed alone. Feeds mainly by probing for invertebrates from deep burrows. 

Local Status: Vagrant

Conservation Status: Endangered (BirdLife International 2017)

Featured articles:

Past records in our database:

Showing only accepted records. Records currently under review are also not displayed. For a full list, click here.

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Far Eastern Curlew at Bali. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Far Eastern Curlew at Bali. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Far Eastern Curlew at Bali. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Far Eastern Curlew at Bali. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Far Eastern Curlew)

References:

BirdLife International. (2017). Numenius madagascariensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22693199A118601473.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Far Eastern Curlew. Retrieved on June 1, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/far-eastern-curlew.