Priority species
EPBC Critically Endangered (CR)
Far Eastern Curlew
Numenius madagascariensis
Far Eastern Curlews are the largest of all the world’s shorebirds. Their call, a ‘Cuuuurrlew’, ringing out across coastal wetlands. Their impressive bill, which is characteristic of the species, is used to probe the mud and dig up crabs, their main food source in Australia. The Far Eastern Curlew occurs only in our flyway, and about 75 percent of the world population winters in Australia, so we have a particular responsibility to protect coastal wetlands for them and the smaller shorebirds that live in their shadow.
The Far Eastern Curlew is the largest shorebird 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. Average size is 63cm and the average weight is 900 grams.
Their call is a mournful ‘ker-lee’.
Bird call recorded by: Nigel Jackett, XC233203 via xeno-canto.org, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
The Far Eastern Curlew is widespread in coastal regions in the northeast 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.
The Far 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.
Distribution map
The Far Eastern Curlew is a migratory species, moving south by day and night, usually along coastlines, leaving breeding areas from mid-July to late September. They arrive in north-western and eastern Australia mainly in August. Large numbers appear on the east coast from September to November. Most leave again from late February to March.
Far 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.
Far 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. Clutch size is four.
Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Habitat destruction
Climate change
