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Eastern Curlew

Numenius madagascariensis

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.

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.

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3 Comments

MacChristiansen
MacChristiansen 12 years ago

Another favourite

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 12 years ago

Great to get such a clear shot.

Atul
Atul 12 years ago

lovely!

MacChristiansen
Spotted by
MacChristiansen

New South Wales, Australia

Spotted on May 27, 2008
Submitted on Feb 11, 2012

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