Time to look for the Eskimo curlew (1 Viewer)

I thought I would start this thread because all the other threads on this subject were old. I know many of you think these birds are extinct and shouldn't be given any more attention, but I feel that it's too soon to write them off.

I think now would be the best time to look for this rare, possibly extinct bird, as they travel up to the Gulf of Mexico and the great plains. Especially in states where even seeing a whimbrel or long-billed curlew would be unusual, for example, Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska, Kansas and the Dakotas.

I know most of you are experienced birders and know about this species very well, but I thought I would go over some basics.

If you have a scope, make sure you fit it with an adapter for your camera as virtually no sightings are being confirmed without good evidence. Even if you had a photograph, it will be heavily scrutinized.

Here are some key differences between Numenius borealis and it's cousins, the whimbrel, long-billed curlew or little curlew, all of which must be ruled out (even though little curlews are very rare in the United States):

Eskimo curlews are just larger than a black bellied plover, but smaller than a greater yellowlegs.
Eskimo curlews, in general, have darker legs that are sometimes greenish in color, but often blue-gray or darker.
Eskimo curlews have a noticeably shorter bill, more like the size of a greater yellowlegs or a willet, but curved slightly downward.
Eskimo curlews don't have a very well defined eye stripe.
Eskimo curlews' primary feathers are smooth colored on the underside and they have a cinnamon colored under wing lining like a long-billed curlew, not barred like a whimbrel.

These birds are expected to be mingling with other birds that look similar, especially whimbrels, which will make finding them a challenge. They could be right before your eyes and you won't even know it. If this is the case, it might be good to photograph large flocks of whimbrel and see if there is an Eskimo curlew. Be sure to rule out juvenile whimbrels and long-billed curlews.

When in doubt, take a photo or report it with as detailed a description as possible. Remember to report what you see, not what you expect to see.

Killdeer_Chick said:

Here are some key differences between Numenius borealis and it's cousins, the whimbrel, long-billed curlew or little curlew, all of which must be ruled out (even though little curlews are very rare in the United States):
Eskimo curlews are just larger than a black bellied plover, but smaller than a greater yellowlegs.
Eskimo curlews, in general, have darker legs that are sometimes greenish in color, but often blue-gray or darker.
Eskimo curlews have a noticeably shorter bill, more like the size of a greater yellowlegs or a willet, but curved slightly downward.
Eskimo curlews don't have a very well defined eye stripe.
Eskimo curlews' primary feathers are smooth colored on the underside and they have a cinnamon colored under wing lining like a long-billed curlew, not barred like a whimbrel.

Click to expand...

Having had the privilege of examining Eskimo Curlew skins in The Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh, I suggest that there's one more distinctive characteristic - the chest and upper belly spotting, though variable in coverage, consists of extended arrowhead markings, rather like << with the top and bottom edges joined up, pointing forwards.
MJB

Excellent point, I forgot about that.

Another thing to notice is wing length. Eskimo curlews tend to have wings as long or longer than their tails. Also, their toes don't hang off the end of their tails when they fly unlike their cousins, the little curlew and whimbrel.

Killdeer_Chick said:

Another thing to notice is wing length. Eskimo curlews tend to have wings as long or longer than their tails. Also, their toes don't hang off the end of their tails when they fly unlike their cousins, the little curlew and whimbrel.

Click to expand...

The very best of luck with your project, I wish you well and hope.

Thanks! I just wish I lived in an area where I have a chance of spotting one. But, I hope to get others to keep an eye out for them.