North America's largest shorebird — boldly cinnamon-buff with an absurdly long down-curved bill that can exceed 8 inches. Specialized prairie inhabitants whose populations have crashed with prairie conversion.

Also called: Sicklebird, Candlestick Bird, Sickle-billed Curlew

Native status: Native; declining ~50% since 1960s

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 50–65 cm (20–26 in); wingspan 90 cm; bill 10–22 cm (4–8.7 in)
Weight450–950 g (1.0–2.1 lb); females larger with longer bills
LifespanWild 8 years average; oldest documented 14
OrderCharadriiformes
FamilyScolopacidae

§ Encyclopedia

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.

Source: Wikipedia — Long-billed curlew Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Massive cinnamon-buff shorebird with extraordinarily long down-curved bill — the longest bill of any North American bird relative to body size.

Similar species. Whimbrel (smaller, dark eye stripe). Marbled Godwit (upturned bill).

Voice. Far-carrying ascending "cur-leeeeee" giving the species its name.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Earthworms, grasshoppers, beetles, butterfly larvae from prairie soil. On wintering grounds: crabs, shrimp, small fish from mudflats.

Behavior. North America's largest shorebird. Nests on shortgrass prairie — strong nest-site fidelity. Performs aerial "song-flight" display during breeding. Migrates to coastal mudflats in winter.

§ Range

Breeds in western US/Canadian prairies; winters in southwestern US, Mexico, Central America

§ Habitat

Shortgrass prairies in breeding season; mudflats and beaches in winter

§ Threats

Conversion of native shortgrass prairie to row crops, energy development, vehicle strikes.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the long-billed curlew is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support shortgrass prairie protection. Use careful mowing schedules. Donate to grassland conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • Intermountain Bird Observatory
  • National Audubon Society
  • IUCN Red List 2020