Eastern curlew: where and when to see them

The eastern curlew is the largest migratory shorebird regularly visiting Australia, recognizable by its extraordinarily long, downward-curving bill. It breeds in northeastern Asia and travels south along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway to coastal feeding grounds. Australia's estuaries support a major share of its nonbreeding population. Loss and degradation of intertidal habitat, especially at migration staging areas, have driven serious declines, making undisturbed feeding flats and secure high-tide roosts especially important.

Size

53-66 cm long

Weight

600-1,300 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Endangered

Eastern curlews spread across exposed mudflats as the tide falls, probing deeply and extracting prey with careful bill movements. They may wash muddy prey or manipulate a crab before swallowing it. Rising water pushes birds toward communal roosts on sandbanks, beaches or sheltered shorelines. They are wary and often flush well before a person approaches closely. Migration involves long flights punctuated by essential refuelling stops, while some immature birds remain in Australia through the northern breeding season. Eastern curlews spread across exposed mudflats as the tide falls, probing deeply and extracting prey with careful bill movements. They may wash muddy prey or manipulate a crab before swallowing it. Rising water pushes birds toward communal roosts on sandbanks, beaches or sheltered shorelines. They are wary and often flush well before a person approaches closely. Migration involves long flights punctuated by essential refuelling stops, while some immature birds remain in Australia through the northern breeding season. During migration, they can cover thousands of kilometers, often flying in V-formations. Post-breeding adults begin their southward migration to Australia from July to September.

• Females usually have noticeably longer bills than males.
• Its breeding grounds and Australian feeding grounds lie in different hemispheres.
• Some young birds postpone their first northward breeding migration.
• A long bill lets it exploit deeply buried prey unavailable to shorter-billed shorebirds.

In much of coastal Australia, September through March offers the strongest seasonal overlap with nonbreeding eastern curlews. Arrival and departure dates vary by latitude, and a few birds remain year-round. Tide timing usually matters more for viewing than the time of day. In much of coastal Australia, September through March offers the strongest seasonal overlap with nonbreeding eastern curlews. Arrival and departure dates vary by latitude, and a few birds remain year-round. Tide timing usually matters more for viewing than the time of day. Peak numbers are typically observed during the austral summer months. Viewing opportunities are often best on a falling tide, as more mudflat is exposed.

Australian habitat consists mainly of sheltered estuaries, tidal mudflats, mangrove-fringed inlets and broad coastal embayments. Nearby undisturbed roosting ground is essential at high tide. Breeding habitat is very different, including wet meadows, bogs and open marshy landscapes in northeastern Asia. Australian habitat consists mainly of sheltered estuaries, tidal mudflats, mangrove-fringed inlets and broad coastal embayments. Nearby undisturbed roosting ground is essential at high tide. Breeding habitat is very different, including wet meadows, bogs and open marshy landscapes in northeastern Asia. This species is highly dependent on specific coastal wetland types, making them vulnerable to habitat degradation and loss. Critical habitat sites are often protected under international agreements due to their importance for migratory shorebirds.

Crabs are especially important on Australian nonbreeding grounds, alongside other crustaceans, marine worms and molluscs. The exceptionally long bill reaches prey buried beyond the reach of many smaller shorebirds. Females generally have longer bills, allowing some differences in feeding depth. Crabs are especially important on Australian nonbreeding grounds, alongside other crustaceans, marine worms and molluscs. The exceptionally long bill reaches prey buried beyond the reach of many smaller shorebirds. Females generally have longer bills, allowing some differences in feeding depth. They often target burrowing invertebrates like polychaete worms and yabbies. The curlew's specialized bill allows it to locate prey by touch even in murky substrates, a technique known as tactile foraging.

Common name

Eastern curlew

Scientific name

Numenius madagascariensis

Animal group

Birds

Size

53-66 cm long

Weight

600-1,300 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Endangered

Identification

Its huge size, exceptionally long bill and brown rump distinguish it from the smaller whimbrel and the usually white-rumped Eurasian curlew. Its huge size, exceptionally long bill and brown rump distinguish it from the smaller whimbrel and the usually white-rumped Eurasian curlew. Look for its distinctive downcurved bill, which can be up to 20 cm long. The overall plumage is mottled brown, providing excellent camouflage against muddy backgrounds. The absence of a prominent head stripe also helps differentiate it from Whimbrels.