Name
Curlew
Latin Name
Numenius arquata
Family
Scolopacidae
Length
59 cm
Habitat
Curlew are found along the shore, estuaries and tidal parts of rivers and along inland waters.
Migration
Summer migrant from the Palaearctic to our coasts and to the larger vleis, over-wintering fairly regularly.
Bird Call
The Curlew call is a resonant 'cur-lee' repeated, and a harsh 'crooee-crooee'.
Breeding
Curlew eggs are a deep ivory with scattered dark markings.
Immature Description
Young Curlew birds are heavily mottled above.
Adult Description
Males are smaller than females. Upper parts mottled black and light chestnut; neck, chest and breast buff streaked with chestnut and dusky, rump and underparts white. Eyes brown, bill greyish, horn extremely long and downward curved, usually lighter at the base, legs greenish-grey.
Status
Non-breeding summer migrant.
Distribution
Curlew are found on the sea coast and at estuaries as well as next to inland waters. Throughout south-eastern Africa.
