Far Eastern Curlew

The Far Eastern curlew, Numenius madagascariensis, stands as a magnificent example of shorebirds, boasting not only the title of the largest curlew but also likely the world's largest sandpiper. This impressive bird measures 60–66 cm in length, with a wingspan reaching 110 cm. The adult's plumage is predominantly brown, and it is distinguished by its unpatterned brown underwing. The species is particularly noted for its prodigious bill, measuring 12.8–20.1 cm, which competes with the closely related long-billed curlew for the longest bill among sandpipers.

Identification Tips

When observing the Far Eastern curlew, one should note its substantial size and the remarkable decurved bill, which is among the longest for any sandpiper. The bird's overall brown plumage and the lack of patterning on the underwing are key characteristics that aid in its identification.

Habitat

The breeding grounds of the Far Eastern curlew are found in the marshy and swampy wetlands and lakeshores of northeastern Asia, including regions from Siberia to Kamchatka and Mongolia.

Distribution

During the non-breeding season, the Far Eastern curlew migrates to coastal Australia, with some individuals venturing to South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, and New Zealand. It favors estuaries, beaches, and salt marshes in these regions. The species is known to make stopovers in the mudflats of the Yellow Sea during its migration.

Behaviour

The Far Eastern curlew may feed in solitude but is often seen congregating in large flocks for migration or roosting purposes. It uses its elongated bill to probe the mud for invertebrates, a common feeding behavior among curlews.

Song & Calls

The call of the Far Eastern curlew is a distinctive, sharp, clear whistle, articulated as "cuuue-reee," which it often repeats.

Diet and Feeding

On its breeding grounds, the Far Eastern curlew's diet consists of insects, including beetle and fly larvae, as well as amphipods. During migration, it also partakes in berries. In the non-breeding season, it predominantly feeds on marine invertebrates, showing a preference for crabs and small molluscs, but will also consume other crustaceans and polychaetes.

Conservation status

The Far Eastern curlew is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Estimates from 2006 suggest a global population of approximately 38,000 individuals. The species was previously listed as least concern but was uplisted to vulnerable in 2010 due to a realization that it was rarer than previously believed. In Australia, it is considered critically endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Threats

The decline in the Far Eastern curlew population is primarily attributed to the extensive tidal flat reclamations along the coasts of the Yellow Sea by China, North Korea, and South Korea. These reclamations have resulted in a loss of over 65% of the mudflats, which are crucial stopover sites for the species during migration.