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| − | [[Image:Eurasian_Curlew.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Gallus|Gallus}}<br />Kingairloch, [[Scotland|Scottish Highlands]], [[UK]], September 2004]] | + | [[Image:Eurasian_Curlew.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo © by {{user|Gallus|Gallus}}<br />Kingairloch, [[Scotland|Scottish Highlands]], [[UK]], September 2004]] |
;[[:Category:Numenius|Numenius]] arquata | ;[[:Category:Numenius|Numenius]] arquata | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | 50- | + | 50-60cm (19¾-23½ in) |
| − | * | + | *Greyish-brown overall plumage |
*White back | *White back | ||
*Long curved bill | *Long curved bill | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
A widespread and generally common bird in the Western Palearctic. Breeds in the [[British Isles]] (except east and south-east [[England]]), discontinuously from [[France]] east to [[Poland]], throughout coastal and lowland [[Scandinavia]], the [[Baltic States]] and across [[Russia]] between about 48 and 64 degrees N. Southern limits are the Pyrenees, Alps and the Black Sea. | A widespread and generally common bird in the Western Palearctic. Breeds in the [[British Isles]] (except east and south-east [[England]]), discontinuously from [[France]] east to [[Poland]], throughout coastal and lowland [[Scandinavia]], the [[Baltic States]] and across [[Russia]] between about 48 and 64 degrees N. Southern limits are the Pyrenees, Alps and the Black Sea. | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:064A7293.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo © by {{user|Macswede|Macswede}}<br />Helensburgh, [[Scotland]], November 2018]] |
| − | Resident in [[Ireland]], parts of coastal [[Britain]], | + | Resident in [[Ireland]], parts of coastal [[Britain]], Brittany, coastal [[Netherlands]] and south-west [[Sweden]]. Elsewhere a summer visitor, present April-August. |
In winter found in southern [[Iceland]], throughout the British Isles and much of western and southern [[Europe]], [[Turkey]] and North [[Africa]]. Has bred in [[Spain]] and occasionally does so elsewhere out of main range including very small numbers in [[Italy]]. | In winter found in southern [[Iceland]], throughout the British Isles and much of western and southern [[Europe]], [[Turkey]] and North [[Africa]]. Has bred in [[Spain]] and occasionally does so elsewhere out of main range including very small numbers in [[Italy]]. | ||
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There are 2 subspecies<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>: | There are 2 subspecies<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>: | ||
*''N. a. arquata'' : | *''N. a. arquata'' : | ||
| − | :*breeds [[British Isles]] to Ural | + | :*breeds [[British Isles]] to Ural Mountains; winters to north-western [[Africa]] and [[India]] |
*''N. a. orientalis'': | *''N. a. orientalis'': | ||
:*breeds eastern [[Russia]], Manchuria; winters to Africa, south-eastern [[Asia]] and [[Indonesia]] | :*breeds eastern [[Russia]], Manchuria; winters to Africa, south-eastern [[Asia]] and [[Indonesia]] | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | [[Image:36754366791 32619af956 z.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile ''ssp. orientalist'' | + | [[Image:36754366791 32619af956 z.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile ''ssp. orientalist''<br />Photo © by {{user|SeeToh|SeeToh}}<br />Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, [[Singapore]], August 2017]] |
Breeds in wet grassland and meadows, drier parts of marshes, farmland, heaths and moorland. In winter mainly coastal, on estuaries and sandy shores, saltmarshes, on coastal grasslands and to a lesser extent, on inland wetlands. | Breeds in wet grassland and meadows, drier parts of marshes, farmland, heaths and moorland. In winter mainly coastal, on estuaries and sandy shores, saltmarshes, on coastal grasslands and to a lesser extent, on inland wetlands. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
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The diet includes small invertebrates, small crabs and earthworms. | The diet includes small invertebrates, small crabs and earthworms. | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | + | Their nest is a bare scrape. The 3-6 eggs are incubated for about a month. | |
| + | |||
| + | They are [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monogamous]] and territorial. | ||
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
'''Call''': ''curloo-oo.'' | '''Call''': ''curloo-oo.'' | ||
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''[[Media:Numenius arquata (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ''[[Media:Numenius arquata (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug18}}#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved December 2018) |
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Revision as of 00:35, 3 December 2018
- Numenius arquata
Identification
50-60cm (19¾-23½ in)
- Greyish-brown overall plumage
- White back
- Long curved bill
Distribution
A widespread and generally common bird in the Western Palearctic. Breeds in the British Isles (except east and south-east England), discontinuously from France east to Poland, throughout coastal and lowland Scandinavia, the Baltic States and across Russia between about 48 and 64 degrees N. Southern limits are the Pyrenees, Alps and the Black Sea.
Resident in Ireland, parts of coastal Britain, Brittany, coastal Netherlands and south-west Sweden. Elsewhere a summer visitor, present April-August.
In winter found in southern Iceland, throughout the British Isles and much of western and southern Europe, Turkey and North Africa. Has bred in Spain and occasionally does so elsewhere out of main range including very small numbers in Italy.
Vagrant north to Jan Mayen, Bear Island and south to Canaries, Azores and Cape Verde Islands.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 2 subspecies1:
- N. a. arquata :
- breeds British Isles to Ural Mountains; winters to north-western Africa and India
- N. a. orientalis:
Habitat
Breeds in wet grassland and meadows, drier parts of marshes, farmland, heaths and moorland. In winter mainly coastal, on estuaries and sandy shores, saltmarshes, on coastal grasslands and to a lesser extent, on inland wetlands.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet includes small invertebrates, small crabs and earthworms.
Breeding
Their nest is a bare scrape. The 3-6 eggs are incubated for about a month.
They are monogamous and territorial.
Vocalisation
Call: curloo-oo.
<flashmp3>Numenius arquata (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved December 2018)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Eurasian Curlew. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 20 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Eurasian_Curlew
External Links
