Curlew

The curlews are a group of 8 wading bird species, characterised by a long slender downcurved bill and mainly brown plumage with little seasonal change. They are closely related to the godwits, but the latter have straight bills.

Curlews feed on mud or very soft ground, searching for worms and other invertebrates their long bills. They will also take crabs and similar items.

The Upland Sandpiper[?] is an odd bird which appears to be closely related to the curlews.

Species are:

Family: Scopolacidae

• Little Curlew, Numenius minutus
• Eskimo Curlew, Numenius borealis
• Whimbrel[?], Numenius phaeopus
• Bristle-thighed Curlew, Numenius tahitiensis
• Slender-billed Curlew[?], Numenius tenuirostris
• Eurasian Curlew[?], Numenius arquata
• Far Eastern Curlew, Numenius madagascariensis
• Long-billed Curlew, Numenius americanus

• Upland Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda