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Little Curlew
(Numenius minutus)
: "Pygmy Curlew", "Little Whimbrel"
 German name(s): "Zwergbrachvogel"
Size: 28-36 cm; wing span 65-75 cm
Weight: 120-210 g
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
Little Curlews are the smallest curlews. They have
a brownish-grey, lightly streaked head, neck and chest, with two
parallel dark-brown stripes running the length of the cap.
The belly and vent are creamy, while the wings are boldly
scalloped light and dark grey-brown. The uppertail is barred.
When in eclipse, the
plumage
shows less rufous-brown tints than during the breeding season.
The plumage is
cryptic, i.e.
camouflaged, against the background of a mudflat.
The dark-grey bill is quite long and curved downwards, with a
lighter, pinkish base of the lower mandible.
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Twitcher's tip |
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Compared to other members of
the Numenius family, they are the by far smallest species and
have the shortest bill (in absolute terms, but also compared to
the size of the head).
The correct identification of waders ("shorebirds"), e.g. of the
Calidris, Tringa, Actitis etc.
or of the
Charadrius, Pluvialis and related
genera in the field can be quite tricky. We have therefore made an attempt
to give some advice
HERE.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Little
Curlew at Wikipedia  .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
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The global distribution of the Little Curlew is available
HERE
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Little Curlews are an highly migratory species.
Their breeding grounds are located in the far North of Siberia.
Some migrate to spend the northern winters in parts of South-east
Asia, but the majority fly even farther, to Australia.
(The absence of reports from Siberia is most likely due to the
absence of reporting birdwatchers, rather than birds.)
In Europe Little Curlews are seen only as very rare vagrants,
possibly when driving off course during their migration.
Little Curlews breed in forest clearings along rivers in the
northern hemisphere. Outside the breeding season they are mostly
found in open
grassland (including urban environments such as lawns and sports grounds) and
mudflats, e.g.
around (ephemeral)
water surfaces.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
We have not seen Little Curlews in Europe yet, but have spotted
the species in Australia.
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Photos |
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We have not photographed Little Curlews in Europe yet, but have taken
photos in Australia.
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Food, Diet |
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Little Curlews feed on small invertebrates that they dig out of mud.
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.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Call/s
