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8

Little Curlew

(Numenius minutus)
Alternate name(s): "Pygmy Curlew", "Little Whimbrel"
Size: 28-36 cm; wing span 65-75 cm
Weight: 120-210 g

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Little Curlew at Wikipedia .

Click here for classification information

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

ADULT

NON-BREEDING

Distant frontal view of a Little Curlew (left) and with its head turned (right), in non-breeding plumage
[Goran Lake, near Gunnedah, NSW, October 2011]

Frontal/near-lateral view of a Little Curlew in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Edmonton, Cairns, QLD, November 2020]

Frontal/near-lateral view of Little Curlews in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, near Lowood, QLD, October 2019]

Near-lateral view of a Little Curlew in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Edmonton, Cairns, QLD, November 2020]

Lateral view of two Little Curlews in non-breeding plumage in dry grassland (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, near Lowood, QLD, October 2019]

Lateral view of a Little Curlew in non-breeding plumage in grassland (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Near Fogg Dam CR, Top End, NT, March 2013]

Lateral view of a Little Curlew in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, near Lowood, QLD, October 2019]

Lateral view of a Little Curlew in non-breeding plumage looking away from the observer (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, near Lowood, QLD, October 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Little Curlew in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Atkinson Dam, near Lowood, QLD, October 2019]

Dorsal view of a Little Curlew
[Goran Lake, near Gunnedah, NSW, October 2011]

Little Curlew in non-breeding plumage in flight (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Goran Lake, near Gunnedah, NSW, October 2011]

Little Curlew in comparison with a Masked Lapwing (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Goran Lake, near Gunnedah, NSW, October 2011]

Behaviour

Although rarely seen in large numbers, Little Curlews can form substantial flocks outside the breeding season.

Close-up view of part of a flock of 50 Little Curlews in an ephemeral wetland
[Ca. 30 km S of Mungindi, NSW, February 2023]

Flock of 50 Little Curlews (and a few smaller waders) in an ephemeral wetland
[Ca. 30 km S of Mungindi, NSW, February 2023]

Dorsal view of part of a flock of 50 Little Curlews in flight
[Ca. 30 km S of Mungindi, NSW, February 2023]

Flock of 50 Little Curlews, in between other aquatic birds in an ephemeral wetland
[Ca. 30 km S of Mungindi, NSW, February 2023]

Food, Diet

Little Curlews feed on small invertebrates that they dig out of mud.

Little Curlew in non-breeding plumage feeding on a mudflat on the edge of an ephemeral lake
[Goran Lake, near Gunnedah, NSW, October 2011]

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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