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Eastern Curlew

(Numenius madagascariensis)
Size: 60-65 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Eastern Curlews migrate from the north along the entire Australian seaboard, including Bass Strait and the east coast of Tasmania, Torres Strait and in general the sea to the north of the continent and along the Great Barrier Reef. They are found on offshore islands as well, but nowhere inland.

Eastern Curlews can be found in mangrove swamps and mudflats around river estuaries.

Sightings

A common sight on the beaches and shorelines of the Sydney area; seen there on various occasions in 2004-2007.

Seen again at Urunga Heads, northern NSW, in July 2009 and in January 2011. Spotted there from the Urunga boardwalk in mangrove swamps.

Photos

Lateral view of a male Eastern Curlew...

... now moving at higher speed

Here the same bird as above, now seen using its bill to poke a hole into the sand in an attempt to find and dig up its prey

Lateral view of a female Eastern Curlew with its head turned

Slightly different posture; now, with the full length of its bill visible, it is clear that this must be a female bird

These pages are largely based on our own observations. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.