one endangered eastern curlew #1 - a photo on Flickriver

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Eastern Curlew
Scientific Name: Numenius madagascariensis, Scolopacidae
Eastern Curlews are the largest of all the world's shorebirds, and call their call, a mournful "Cuuuurrlew", ringing out beautifully across vast coastal wetlands. Their impressive bill, which is characteristic of the species, is used to probe the mud and dig up crabs, their main food source in Australia. Sadly, its down-curved shape also mimics the decline of Australia's migratory shorebirds. The Eastern Curlew occurs only in our flyway, and about 75 per cent of the world's curlews winter in Australia, so we have a particular responsibility to protect coastal wetlands for them and the smaller shorebirds that live in their shadow.
Description: The Eastern Curlew is the largest wader that visits Australia, with a very long down-curved bill. The female's bill is usually longer than the male's and averages 185 mm in length. It is a bulky, dark-streaked brown wader, with a long neck and legs. When flying, the barred flight feathers are visible, lighter under the wings and dark above. They are wary birds, quick to take flight. Their wing beats are slow and deliberate, unlike the rapid beats of the Whimbrel. Other names are Curlew and Australian or Sea Curlew.
Similar Species: The Eastern Curlew is the largest curlew, with a much longer bill and legs than the similar Whimbrel, Numensius phaeopus. The call of the Eastern Curlew is distinctive and the long bill is obvious in flight.
Distribution: The Eastern Curlew is widespread in coastal regions in the north-east and south of Australia, including Tasmania, and scattered in other coastal areas. It is rarely seen inland. It breeds in Russia and north-eastern China. On passage, they are commonly seen in Japan, Korea and Borneo. Small numbers visit New Zealand.
Habitat: The Eastern Curlew is found on intertidal mudflats and sandflats, often with beds of seagrass, on sheltered coasts, especially estuaries, mangrove swamps, bays, harbours and lagoons.
Feeding: The Eastern Curlew eats mainly small crabs and molluscs. Foraging by day and night, it is slow and deliberate, stalking slowly on sandy and muddy flats, picking from the surface or probing deep with its long bill.
Breeding: Eastern Curlews breed in the northern hemisphere on swampy moors and boggy marshes. Both sexes have similar plumage, with the males using their haunting calls and display flights to attract a mate and defend their territory. The nest is a shallow depression lined with grass.
Conservation Status:
Federal - Critically Endangered
NSW - unlisted
NT - Vulnerable
QLD - Vulnerable
SA - Vulnerable
TAS - Endangered
VIC - Vulnerable (Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria: 2013 list)
WA - Vulnerable
(Source: www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/eastern-curlew)
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© Chris Burns 2019

All rights reserved.

This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.

Taken in: Australia / Queensland / Old Bribie (show map)

Taken on: June 15, 2019

Tags:

Eastern Curlew

Numenius madagascariensis

bird

Australian bird

fauna

Australian fauna

wader

critically endangered

Nikon D500

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

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outdoors

Kakadu Reserve

Banksia Beach

Queensland

Australia

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Camera: Nikon D500, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, 500mm (=750mm), ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D500
Lens:	200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	0.004 sec (1/250)
Focal Length:	500mm (35mm equivalent: 750mm)
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Saturation:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 (Windows)
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