Member | Join now

By joining the biggest community of bird lovers in Australia, you can help us make a positive impact on the future of our native birdlife. The members of BirdLife Australia, along with our supporters and partners, have been powerful advocates for native birds and the conservation of their habitats since 1901.

We are also the meeting ground for everyone with an interest in birds from the curious backyard observer to the dedicated research scientist. It doesn’t matter what your interest in birds is or how much you know about them, your membership will offer you the opportunity to increase your awareness and enjoyment.

Birdlife Australia would be delighted to welcome you as a new member and we look forward to sharing our news and achievements with you throughout the coming year.

Bird Search

Although birds are usually quite easy to see, often they are more difficult to identify. You may have had the briefest glimpse or heard a snatch of its song, or perhaps it was a bird you have never seen before. The best place to look for it is here.

You will discover the remarkable variety of birds that occur across Australia. With stunning images of featured species and some recordings of their songs and calls, you are sure to find that mystery bird, or learn more about species you already know.

By State or Territory QLD

Refined search

Projects
Atlas & Birdata
Beach-nesting Birds
Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Recovery
Shorebirds 2020
Woodland Birds for Biodiversity

our-projects

Atlas & Birdata

The Atlas is one of BirdLife Australia's greatest resources, allowing us to track changes in birds across the country. Since 1998 a dedicated band of... More >

Beach-nesting Birds

BirdLife Australia’s Beach-nesting Birds project works with community volunteers across Australia to help raise awareness among beach users about... More >

Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Recovery

BirdLife Australia has been running the Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Recovery project since 2001. We work with various land managers, government and... More >

Shorebirds 2020

The Shorebirds 2020 program aims to reinvigorate and coordinate national shorebird population monitoring in Australia. To report on the population... More >

Woodland Birds for Biodiversity

Since European settlement one-third of Australia’s woodlands and 80% of temperate woodlands have been cleared. The Woodland Birds for Biodiversity... More >

@BirdlifeOz

Congrats to @BirdlifeOz member Patricia Ferguson for winning a Logan Eco Award for her countless hours working for birds & the environment!

The UK's first crane egg in four centuries has been laid! Congrats @WWTworldwide! http://t.co/3RhrEyjJfy

Is nowhere safe from shooting, grazing & logging? National Parks don't seem to be. We call for Fed protection now: http://t.co/CSUzaOTulb

Eastern Curlew

Numenius madagascariensis
Scolopacidae

When it comes to bill shape, shorebirds have a remarkable variety, but the Eastern Curlew takes this to extremes. The largest migratory shorebird in Australia, it has a bill to match, contributing nearly a third of the bird’s length. The decurved bill of the female curlew is longer than that of the male. While other shorebirds peck for food on the surface of the mud or make shallow probes, the Eastern Curlew is able to probe right down into the depths of the mud to take crustaceans.

Identification

Description

The Eastern Curlew is the largest wader that visits Australia, with a very long down-curved bill. The female's bill is usually longer than the male's and averages 185 mm in length. It is a bulky, dark-streaked brown wader, with a long neck and legs. When flying, the barred flight feathers are visible, lighter under the wings and dark above. They are wary birds, quick to take flight. Their wing beats are slow and deliberate, unlike the rapid beats of the Whimbrel. Other names are Curlew and Australian or Sea Curlew.

Similar Species

The Eastern Curlew is the largest curlew, with a much longer bill and legs than the similar Whimbrel, Numensius phaeopus. The call of the Eastern Curlew is distinctive and the long bill is obvious in flight.

Location

Distribution

The Eastern Curlew is widespread in coastal regions in the north-east and south of Australia, including Tasmania, and scattered in other coastal areas. It is rarely seen inland. It breeds in Russia and north-eastern China. On passage, they are commonly seen in Japan, Korea and Borneo. Small numbers visit New Zealand.

Habitat

The Eastern Curlew is found on intertidal mudflats and sandflats, often with beds of seagrass, on sheltered coasts, especially estuaries, mangrove swamps, bays, harbours and lagoons.

Behaviour

Feeding

The Eastern Curlew eats mainly small crabs and molluscs. Foraging by day and night, it is slow and deliberate, stalking slowly on sandy and muddy flats, picking from the surface or probing deep with its long bill.

Breeding

Eastern Curlews breed in the northern hemisphere on swampy moors and boggy marshes. Both sexes have similar plumage, with the males using their haunting calls and display flights to attract a mate and defend their territory. The nest is a shallow depression lined with grass.

Conservation Status

Federal

Secure

NSW

Secure

NT

Secure

QLD

Secure

SA

Vulnerable

TAS

Endangered

VIC

Near threatened

WA

Secure