Adults have a very long bill curved downwards, a long neck and a small
head. The neck and underparts are a light cinnamon, while the crown is
streaked with brown. The female has a much longer bill than the
They prefer prairies and pastures with short grass during breeding
season. After breeding, they seek seashores, lakes, rivers, mudflats
and salt marshes.
They like to eat crabs and various other small invertebrates as their
long bill probes into the mud. They will also feed on grasshoppers,
beetles and other insects.
The species is native to central and western North America. In the
winter, the species migrates southwards, as well as towards the
A small hollow is lined with various weeds and grasses to serve as the
nest. Four eggs are always laid as this is a characteristic of
shorebirds. The eggs vary in hue from white to olive. The Long-billed
Curlew is a precocial bird, and the chicks leave the nest soon after
hatching. Both parents look after the young.
Their predators hawks, badgers, coyotes, weasels, and snakes.
Facts: A group of curlews has many names, including a
"curfew", "game", "head", "salon", and "skein" of curlews.
Adults actively defend their
eggs and young by pretending to be injured and leading the predator
It has been known as
"sicklebird" and "candlestick bird." Candlestick Point in San Francisco
was named after this indigenous bird and subsequently Candlestick
The long-billed curlew is the
largest shorebird in North America.