Bird · GBIF taxon 2481791
Far Eastern Curlew
Numenius madagascariensisAlso known as Eastern Curlew, Australian Curlew
Far Eastern curlews execute epic non-stop transoceanic journeys along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, traveling from northeastern Asian tundra breeding grounds to southern coastal estuaries. Their remarkably long, downcurved bills allow them to extract deep-burrowing mud crabs and marine worms inaccessible to other shorebirds. Rapid destruction of vital intertidal staging habitats along the Yellow Sea has triggered sharp population declines, making protected coastal stopovers essential for their survival.
ShorebirdMigratory
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Crabs
- Mollusks
- Polychaete worms
Predators
- Falcons
- Eagles
- Introduced foxes
ThreatsIntertidal mudflat reclamation along migration flyways, coastal development, disturbance
HabitatsTidal mudflats, estuaries, mangrove swamps, coastal lagoons, marshy tundra
Life span10–20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyScolopacidae
- SpeciesNumenius madagascariensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Look for an unusually large brown shorebird with an extraordinarily long downcurved bill and unpatterned underwings.
- Support conservation
- Keep at least 100 meters away, keep dogs on leashes near estuaries, and never flush feeding or resting flocks.
Responsible observation
- Observe with optics: Use a spotting scope to view feeding flocks from a distance without causing flight.
- Avoid disturbing roosts: Give high-tide roosting flocks a wide berth, especially before migratory departures.
- Watch the tide: Position yourself along estuarine mudflats as rising tides push birds closer to shore.
Frequent Companion (c) Настя Бухвалова, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Настя Бухвалова · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Joanne Goldby, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
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