loading...
A photo of a Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis)
Bristle-thighed Curlew

Bristle-thighed Curlew

Numenius tahitiensis

The bristle-thighed curlew (Numenius tahitiensis) is a medium-sized shorebird that breeds in Alaska and winters on tropical Pacific islands. It is known in Mangareva as kivi or kivikivi and in Rakahanga as kihi; it is said to be the origin of the name for the New Zealand flightless bird kiwi although some linguists like Robert Blust has proposed an alternate origin from Proto-Oceanic *kiwiwi, the Pacific golden plover, instead. The bristle-thighed curlew has a long, decurved bill and bristled feathers at the base of the legs. Its length is about 40–44 cm and wingspan about 84 cm (females averaging bigger than males). The size and shape are the same as the whimbrel's, and the plumage is similar, spotted brown on their upper body with a light belly and rust-colored or buffy tail. The bigger buff spots on the upper body, unmarked light belly and barely marked flanks, tail color, and pale buffy-orange rump distinguish it from the whimbrel.
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community of curious everyday people connecting with the natural world
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community

Bristle-thighed Curlews on Birda

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Lucas Corneliussen
Lucas Corneliussen
Thursday 05 Mar 2020 - 2:56pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Zeke Smith
Zeke Smith
Wednesday 29 Jan 2020 - 2:28pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Zeke Smith
Zeke Smith
Monday 27 Jan 2020 - 1:14pm
United States Minor Outlying Islands
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Zeke Smith
Zeke Smith
Friday 24 Jan 2020 - 12:50pm
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Connect with nature,
Find your flock
Copyright © 2023 Chirp Birding Ltd. All rights reserved.