About the Long-billed Curlew
The long-billed curlew is a large North American shorebird of the family Scolopacidae. This species was also called "sicklebird" and the "candlestick bird". The species breeds in central and western North America, migrating southward and coastward for the winter.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Ecuador, Venezuela, Cuba, Guadeloupe, St. Pierre & Miquelon, French Guiana, Martinique.
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Far Eastern CurlewNumenius madagascariensisThe Far Eastern curlew is a large wader most similar in appearance to the long-billed curlew, but slightly larger.
Little CurlewNumenius minutusIt is mainly greyish-brown, including the underwings, with a white belly, and a short, for a curlew, curved bill.
Bristle-thighed CurlewNumenius tahitiensisThe bristle-thighed curlew has a long, decurved bill and bristled feathers at the base of the legs.
Side by side: Eurasian Curlew vs Long-billed Curlew · Eurasian Whimbrel vs Long-billed Curlew
Learn the Long-billed Curlew for real
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