Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Slender-billed Curlew

Numenius tenuirostris

The Slender-billed Curlew, Numenius tenuirostris, is a small member of the wader family Scolopacidae. With a length of 36–41 cm and a wingspan of 77–88 cm, it is comparable in size to the Eurasian Whimbrel. The species exhibits a greyish brown plumage above with a whitish rump and lower back during the breeding season. Its underparts are white, heavily streaked with dark brown, and the flanks are adorned with round or heart-shaped spots. In non-breeding plumage, the bird retains a similar appearance but with fewer spots on the flanks. Both sexes share the same plumage, though females possess longer bills than males, reducing competition for food.

Identification Tips

Distinguishing the Slender-billed Curlew from similar species relies on several key features. It is whiter on the breast, tail, and underwing compared to the Eurasian Curlew, and its bill is shorter, more slender, and slightly straighter at the base. The head pattern includes a dark cap and a whitish supercilium, reminiscent of the Whimbrel, though the Slender-billed Curlew lacks the central crown stripe and has a less distinct overall pattern. The most reliable identification markers are the uniformly dark underside of the outer primaries, darker legs (black in adults), and a white tail with fewer dark bars.

Habitat

The Slender-billed Curlew historically bred in the forest bogs of Siberia, though its exact nesting grounds have remained a mystery since the last documented nest in 1924.

Distribution

This curlew was known to breed in a limited area north of Omsk, Russia, and primarily migrated to the Mediterranean and southern Arabia for wintering. It has been recorded as a vagrant in various locations including western Europe, the Canary Islands, the Azores, Oman, Canada, and Japan.

Behaviour

The Slender-billed Curlew's breeding biology is largely unknown, but observed nests typically contained four eggs. It feeds by probing soft mud for invertebrates and occasionally picking items from the surface. Historically, it was highly sociable outside the breeding season, often associating with related species like the Eurasian Curlew.

Song & Calls

The species emits a "cour-lee" call, akin to the Eurasian Curlew but higher-pitched, more melodic, and shorter. Its alarm call is a rapid "cu-ee."

Breeding

The last confirmed nest was found in 1924 near Tara, Omsk oblast, Siberia. The current status of its breeding is unknown.

Similar Species

The Slender-billed Curlew can be confused with the Eurasian Curlew and the Whimbrel, but careful observation of its distinctive markings and bill shape can aid in correct identification.

Diet and Feeding

Its diet consists of small invertebrates, which it locates by probing mud with its bill. It is also known to feed on other small items when available.

Conservation Status

The Slender-billed Curlew is classified as Critically Endangered and is feared to be extinct, with the last confirmed sighting in 2004. The decline is attributed to excessive hunting and habitat loss, particularly in its wintering grounds. Despite extensive searches, the current breeding status and population dynamics remain uncertain.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Slender-billed Curlews on Birda

Photos

More Sandpipers, Snipes

A photo of a Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.