Distribution Map
Far Eastern Curlew
Numenius madagascariensis
NativeStatus
Fairly CommonRarity
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Species Description
The Far Eastern Curlew is the largest migratory shorebird in the world, endemic to the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. It is renowned for its extraordinarily long, downward-curving billthe longest of any shorebird globally. These birds migrate annually from their breeding grounds in Russia and northeastern China to Australia, where they spend the non-breeding season feeding on mudflats and sandflats.
Fun Facts
Despite their size, they are adept at catching fast-moving crabs and removing limbs before swallowing them whole.
1. Exceptionally long, downward-curving bill (females have longer bills than males).
2. Slow and deliberate feeding style, contrasting with more active shorebirds.
3. Clear "cor-lee" call that carries across wetlands.
These birds are remarkable long-distance migrants, traveling up to 13, kilometers between their Siberian breeding grounds and Australia each year. Their feeding habits are specializedfemales use their longer bills to extract ghost shrimps from deep burrows, while males target crabs closer to the surface. This difference in feeding strategy reduces competition between sexes.
Far Eastern Curlews are commonly found along Australia's sheltered coastlines from August to April. They prefer estuaries, coastal lagoons, and intertidal zones with extensive mudflats or seagrass beds. Dawn and dusk are ideal times for observation when they actively feed during low tide. Due to their wary nature, binoculars are recommended for viewing as they tend to take flight at the first sign of disturbance.
Physical Attributes
Height
63 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds94%
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