Long-billed Curlew
by Marty Fancy
Title
Long-billed Curlew
Artist
Marty Fancy
Medium
Photograph
Description
The long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus) is a large North American shorebird of the family Scolopacidae. This species was also called "sicklebird" and the "candlestick bird". The species is native to central and western North America. In the winter, the species migrates southwards, as well as towards the coastline.
The long-billed curlew is the largest nesting or regularly occurring sandpiper in North America. It is 20-26 inches long, 24-35 inches across the wing and weighs 1.08-2.09 lb. It's disproportionally long bill measures 4.4-8.6 inches, and rivals the bill of the larger-bodied Far Eastern curlew as the longest bill of any shorebird. Adults have a very long bill curved downwards, a long neck and a small head. The neck and underparts are a light cinnamon, while the crown is streaked with brown. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, the female having a much longer bill than the male.
Their breeding habitat is grasslands in west-central North America. The species displays an elaborate courtship dance during breeding season. Fast and looping display flights are also common. A small hollow is lined with various weeds and grasses to serve as the nest. Four eggs are always laid as this is a characteristic of shorebirds. The eggs vary in hue from white to olive. The long-billed curlew is a prococial bird, and the chicks leave the nest soon after hatching. Both parents look after the young.
The bird usually feeds in flocks. Using its long bill, it probes the mud near its habitat, foraging for suitable food. The usual food consists of crabs and various other small invertebrates. The species also feeds on grasshoppers, beetles and other insects. This bird has occasionally been known to eat the eggs of other birds.
Uploaded
April 8th, 2015
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