Eurasian CurlewNumenius arquataWhere and when to see them

The Eurasian curlew is a large wader whose long curved bill and haunting calls are familiar features of Scottish coasts and uplands. Scotland supports both breeding birds and wintering arrivals from elsewhere in Europe. Breeding populations have declined in many areas as land management changes, habitat loss and poor nesting success reduce recruitment. Coastal mudflats remain vital outside the breeding season, linking apparently separate landscapes through the movements of the same species.

Size

50-60 cm long

Weight

400-1,000 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Near Threatened

On the coast, curlews forage across exposed flats and gather at communal roosts when the tide rises. Inland breeding birds establish territories with conspicuous calling flights and place well-camouflaged nests on the ground. Adults become noisy and defensive when people or predators approach chicks, which feed themselves but still require protection. Outside breeding, birds are often sociable, though individuals may defend feeding patches. Females' longer bills allow access to some deeper prey. Curlews are long-lived birds, with some individuals known to reach over 30 years in the wild. During migration, large flocks can travel considerable distances between breeding and wintering grounds. They exhibit strong site fidelity, often returning to the same breeding and wintering areas year after year.

• Females generally have longer bills than males.
• Chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and find their own food.
• Its bubbling breeding call is often delivered during an aerial display.
• Scottish winter flocks can include birds that bred elsewhere in northern Europe.

Wildlife opportunities depend on the river reach, water levels and species. River-specific viewing months have not been confirmed; general species seasons are not a local sighting forecast.

Breeding habitat includes damp grassland, moorland, rough pasture and bog margins. In autumn and winter, Scottish birds use estuaries, saltmarsh, sheltered shores and nearby fields. Safe high-tide roosts and productive feeding flats are essential parts of the coastal habitat network. Coastal curlews prefer open, undisturbed estuarine habitats where they can find both feeding grounds and safe roosting sites. Agricultural fields adjacent to estuaries are also commonly used for foraging, especially at high tide or during severe weather. Inland, they often select areas with tussocky vegetation providing cover for nests and young.

Earthworms and other soil invertebrates are important inland, especially in damp grassland. Coastal birds take worms, crabs, molluscs and other intertidal animals. They locate food by probing with the long bill or picking visible prey from mud, sand and vegetation. In addition to a varied diet, curlews may occasionally consume small fish or amphibians, particularly in wetland breeding areas. Their diet shifts seasonally and geographically based on prey availability and habitat. The long, curved bill is perfectly adapted for extracting deeply buried invertebrates from soft substrates.

Common name

Eurasian Curlew

Scientific name

Numenius arquata

Animal group

Birds

Size

50-60 cm long

Weight

400-1,000 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Near Threatened

Identification

Larger size, a longer evenly curved bill and an unstriped crown distinguish it from the whimbrel, while a white rump separates most Scottish birds from eastern curlews. Juvenile curlews have shorter bills and often appear lankier than adults, gradually developing their full bill length over their first year. The pale grey-brown streaked plumage provides excellent camouflage against many Scottish landscapes. Their characteristic mournful 'cur-lee' call is often heard before the bird is seen, and is a key identification feature.