Far-Eastern Curlew

Numenius madagascariensis

The Far Eastern Curlew is a freshwater bird species that primarily breeds in eastern portions of Russia, and migrates as a visitor to many other countries. The range of this bird is around 10 million square kilometres. Most individuals winter in coastal Australia, with a few heading to South Korea, Thailand, and New Zealand. At the most, Far-Eastern Curlew numbers will not even reach as many as100 in New Zealand. Small flocks from 5 – 20 birds have been noted in favoured areas, and occasionally non-breeders will stay here for our winter. It is an infrequent visitor to Okarito.

It was likely misnamed Madagascariensis instead of Macassar by the famous biologist Linnaeus who confused the two when he first classified it in 1766. Macassar is the region the curlew flies over in Indonesia when heading to its wintering sites in Australasia.

The Far-Eastern Curlew is the largest curlew at 63cm, and the largest migratory wading bird in the world. It has a very long, curved bill - the longest of any shorebird. It is dark brown with heavily streaked under parts and blue-gray legs and feet. Its call is a sharp, clear whistle, cuuue-reee, often repeated.

When flying the curlews move in a straight line or V formation with strong steady flight and rapid wing beats.

They feed in solitude but it will congregate in large flocks to migrate or roost. They frequent sea and lakeshore mud flats, deltas and similar areas, where they forage for crabs, clams, worms, molluscs and insects. They use their long, downward-turned bill to probe the mud.

The Far Eastern Curlew’s breeding habitat comprises marshy, swampy wetlands and lakeshores. During courtship the males attract females through their calls and their dances. They will flutter their wings, leaping up as much as 10-15 metres off the ground and trilling as they do. They nest on the ground, in amongst reed grass thickets or peat marshes.

A mating pair will generally lay 4 eggs that are olive green in colour with black and brown speckles. The nest will be on the ground in amongst reed grasses. Far-Eastern Curlew chicks attempt their first migration when they are only six to eight weeks old, after the adult birds have already departed. These chicks inherit from their parents an instinctive sense of distance and direction required to navigate their migratory paths.

Far Eastern Curlew numbers are in decline. This may be through hunting, habitat loss or possibly even food loss as a result of pollution. Although numbers are not currently in immediate danger it is hoped that cooperative action between countries on their migratory route will offer protection and halt the decline of the curlew and its wetland habitat.

The Far Eastern Curlew is also known as the Eastern Curlew, the Australian Curlew, the Sea Curlew and just plain Curlew.