NA 09AP2675

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

Populations declined drastically in the 1800s. Currently stable or slightly declining. Considered "vulnerable" in Canada and "highly imperiled" by the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan because of declines and threats to both breeding and wintering areas.

Populations have declined throughout this range since the beginning of the 20th century as a result of over-hunting and habitat loss (owing to fragmentation, conversion to croplands, and urban development).

NA 09AP2676

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

This species was also called "sicklebird" and the "candlestick bird". It is native to central and western North America. In the winter, they migrates southwards, as well as towards the coastline.

NA 09AP2674

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

NA 09AP2667

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

NA 09AP2668

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, the female having a much longer bill than the male.

NA 09AP2664

These birds usually feed in flocks. Using its long bill, it probes the mud near its habitat, foraging for suitable food. The usual food consists of crabs and various other small invertebrates. The species also feeds on grasshoppers, beetles and other insects.

NA 09AP1717

NA 09AP1728

It was formerly classified as a Near Threatened species by the IUCN, but new research has confirmed that the Long-billed Curlew is again common and widespread. Consequently, it is downlisted to Least Concern status in 2008.

NA 09AP1715

NA 09AP2686

NA 09AP1700

NA 09AP1699

NA 06MY5201
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

NA 06MY5204
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

NA 06MY5197
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

The current population is estimated at 40,000 individuals. It is now extirpated as a breeding bird in Kansas, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, eastern Nebraska, Illinois, Manitoba and south-east Saskatchewan. Most declines have occurred since 1980, with continental populations declining by 2% per year between 1980 and 1996 (equivalent to 16% in ten years)

NA 07AP5185
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

NA 06MY5195
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).
Breeding habitat is short-grass or mixed-grass native prairie, but varies from moist meadows to very dry grasslands. It generally prefers to nest in large open expanses of relatively low vegetation, and is late maturing, long-lived and has a low reproductive output.

NA 07AP5183
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

NA 07AP5178
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

NA 07AP5172
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

Both the male and female Long-billed Curlew incubate the eggs, and both are aggressive in defense of nests and young. The female typically abandons the brood two to three weeks after hatching and leaves brood care to her mate. Despite this abandonment the same male and female often pair with each other again the next year.

NA 07AP5170
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

NA 07AP 5169
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

NA 07AP5165
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

NA 07AP5138
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

NA 07AP5151
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

NA 07AP5139
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).

Although the Long-billed Curlew's diet includes many species of invertebrates and some vertebrates, its bill is best adapted for capturing shrimp and crabs living in deep burrows on tidal mudflats (its wintering grounds) or burrowing earthworms in pastures.

NA 07AP5142
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus).