Little Curlew vs Long-billed Curlew

Little Curlew

Numenius minutus

Medium173 gGrassland

It is mainly greyish-brown, including the underwings, with a white belly, and a short, for a curlew, curved bill. It has a head pattern like a Eurasian whimbrel, with crown and superciliary stripes. The call is a repetitive whistle. It is the smallest species of curlew with an average length of 28–31 cm (11–12 in), an average wingspan of 68–71 cm (27–28 in) and an average weight of 175 grams (6.2 oz).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by Jochem Verweij · Flight call · Ögiy, O'giinuur, Arkhangai, Mongolia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Wayne Cheng · CC BY 2.0

Long-billed Curlew

Numenius americanus

Large584 gGrassland

The long-billed curlew is the largest sandpiper of regular occurrence in North America. It is 50–65 cm (20–26 in) long, 62–90 cm (24+1⁄2–35+1⁄2 in) across the wing and weighs 490–950 g (1 lb 1+1⁄2 oz – 2 lb 1+1⁄2 oz). Its disproportionally long bill curves downward and measures 11.3–21.9 cm (4+1⁄2–8+5⁄8 in), and rivals the bill of the larger-bodied Far Eastern curlew as the longest bill of any shorebird. Individuals have a long neck and a small head. The neck and underparts are a light cinnamon in color, while the crown is streaked with brown.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Mike Baird from Morro Bay, USA · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Little Curlew and Long-billed Curlew.