Eurasian Curlew

Informazioni

The Eurasian Curlew, known in Italian as Chiurlo maggiore, is the largest wading bird in Europe, easily recognized by its long, downcurved bill and distinctive bubbling call. It is a migratory species, breeding in open country and wetlands across much of temperate Europe and Asia, and wintering on coastal mudflats and estuaries.

Dimensioni e longevità

Lunghezza

50-60 cm (19.7-23.6 in)

Apertura alare

80-100 cm (31.5-39.4 in)

Peso

575-1000 g (1.27-2.2 lbs), with females typically larger than males

Longevità

Up to 32 years in the wild, typically 10-15 years

Dieta

Omnivore, primarily invertebrates (worms, crustaceans, insects) and some plant material (berries, seeds)

Caratteristiche fisiche

Piumaggio

Overall grey-brown streaked plumage. Upperparts are mottled brown with darker streaks, underparts are paler, buffish-white with dark streaking on the breast and flanks. The rump is white, contrasting with the dark tail, and visible in flight. The underwing is white.

Forma del becco

Very long (10-15 cm), slender, and distinctly downcurved bill, dark grey to blackish, often paler at the base of the lower mandible.

Colore degli occhi

Dark brown.

Colore delle zampe

Long, greyish-blue legs.

Caratteristiche distintive

Its large size, very long downcurved bill, and distinctive bubbling call are the most prominent distinguishing features. The white rump is also a key field mark in flight.

Aspetto giovanile

Juveniles resemble adults but have a shorter, straighter bill that gradually curves and lengthens with age. Their plumage may appear slightly fresher and more uniformly patterned.

Cambiamenti stagionali

No significant seasonal plumage changes. Breeding and non-breeding plumages are essentially identical.

Dimorfismo sessuale

Females are generally larger than males and tend to have a longer bill, though this can be difficult to discern in the field without direct comparison.

Come identificare

1. 1

   Size and Shape

   Look for a very large, long-legged wader with a distinctive, very long, downcurved bill. It's the largest wader in Europe.

2. 2

   Plumage

   Observe the streaky brown upperparts and paler, streaked underparts. Note the white rump, which is a key identifier in flight.

3. 3

   Bill

   The extremely long, decurved bill is unmistakable and unique among European waders of this size.

4. 4

   Call

   Listen for the characteristic melancholic 'cur-lee' or bubbling trill, especially during the breeding season. This is often the first indication of its presence.

5. 5

   Habitat

   Consider the habitat: open moorlands and wet grasslands in summer, coastal mudflats and estuaries in winter.

Habitat e areale

Biomi

Temperate grasslands, moorlands, bogs, wet meadows, agricultural fields (breeding); coastal mudflats, estuaries, saltmarshes, sandy beaches (non-breeding/wintering).

Areale geografico

Breeds across much of temperate Europe and Asia, from the UK and Scandinavia eastwards to Siberia and Mongolia. Winters in coastal areas of Western Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.

Fascia altitudinale

Typically found from sea level up to 1000 meters, occasionally higher in some breeding areas.

Ambienti preferiti

During breeding, prefers open, damp habitats with tussocky vegetation for nesting. In winter, it favors intertidal zones with soft substrates for foraging.

Comportamento

Periodo di attività

Diurnal, but may also forage at night, especially on tidal flats when the tide is out.

Abitudini alimentari

Forages by probing its long, curved bill deep into soft mud or soil to extract invertebrates. It can also pick prey from the surface. Diet includes ragworms, lugworms, crabs, small molluscs, insects (beetles, grasshoppers), and occasionally berries or seeds.

Comportamento sociale

During the breeding season, they are territorial and typically found in pairs. Outside the breeding season, they are highly gregarious, forming large flocks on coastal mudflats and estuaries, often associating with other waders.

Tipo di volo

Strong, direct flight with relatively slow, deliberate wingbeats. In display flight, males perform aerial acrobatics with deep wingbeats and glides. The white rump is conspicuous in flight.

Migrazione

A long-distance migratory species. Northern and eastern populations migrate south and west for the winter. Western European populations may be resident or undertake shorter migrations. Migration occurs in broad fronts, often at night.

Territorialità

Highly territorial during the breeding season, defending nesting sites and foraging areas from conspecifics and other potential threats. Males perform elaborate aerial displays to establish and defend territories.

Riproduzione

Stagione riproduttiva

April to July, with peak egg-laying in April-May.

Abitudini di nidificazione

Nests on the ground in a shallow scrape, often concealed within tussocks of grass or heather. The nest is typically lined with grass, moss, and other plant material.

Dimensione della covata

Usually 4 eggs.

Descrizione dell'uovo

Typically 4 eggs, pear-shaped, olive-green to buffish-brown with dark brown or blackish spots and blotches, particularly concentrated at the broader end.

Periodo di incubazione

27-29 days, incubated by both parents.

Periodo di involo

Chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. They are able to fly at about 32-38 days old.

Cure parentali

Both parents share incubation duties and care for the chicks. The female often leaves the brood before the young fledge, leaving the male to complete parental care.

Dove trovarlo

Consigli sul campo

1. Listen for the call. The distinctive 'cur-lee' call is often heard before the bird is seen, especially in dense breeding habitats.
2. Scan open areas. During breeding, look for them in open, damp fields or moorlands. In winter, scan large expanses of mudflats at low tide.
3. Look for probing behavior. Observe their feeding technique: long bills probing deep into the substrate.
4. Check for white rump in flight. When a large wader flies away, the contrasting white rump is a strong indicator of a Eurasian Curlew.

Specie simili

Fatti rapidi

Largest European Wader:

Yes

Bill Shape:

Long, distinctly downcurved

Key Call:

Melancholic 'cur-lee' or bubbling trill

Conservation Status:

Near Threatened

Habitat (Winter):

Coastal mudflats and estuaries

Curiosità

• The name 'Curlew' is onomatopoeic, derived from its distinctive call.
• Eurasian Curlews are known for their impressive long-distance migrations, with some individuals traveling thousands of kilometers between breeding and wintering grounds.
• The female's bill is typically longer than the male's, allowing them to exploit slightly different food resources and potentially reduce competition.
• They are considered an indicator species for the health of wetland and grassland ecosystems.

Classificazione scientifica

Regno

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Classe

Aves

Ordine

Charadriiformes

Famiglia

Scolopacidae

Genere

Numenius

Specie

Numenius arquata

Esplora Eurasian Curlew