Watercolor portrait of Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)

Long-billed Curlew

Numenius americanus
Breeding season Breeds in open grasslands and prairies o… Song

Learn to identify the Long-billed Curlew by ear. Master the "Curlee whistle" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“Curlee whistle”

What the Long-billed Curlew sounds like

North America's largest shorebird, notable for its extremely long, down-curved bill. Stands about 23 inches tall with a 3-foot wingspan. Plumage is mottled warm buff and cinnamon-brown overall, with dark spotting above and cinnamon underwings visible in flight. The head has a faint crown stripe but not as bold as a Whimbrel's. The bill is pinkish at the base and curves down dramatically, reaching 4-8 inches long (females have longer bills than males). Legs are long and gray. Often seen in flocks on coastal mudflats or singly on prairie grasslands, using that long bill to probe deeply into mud or soil.

“Curlee whistle”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:On the breeding grounds, the male Long-billed Curlew gives a loud, ringing territorial song during his display flight. This song is a repeated clear whistle that sounds like "cur-LEE, cur-LEE" or extended as "curleeoo"—an onomatopoeic call that gives the bird its name. In enthusiastic display, it can be a bubbling series of notes culminating in the curlew call. These sounds carry across the prairie and are mainly heard in spring during mating displays. Often written as “Curlee whistle”.
Don't confuse with:The Whimbrel — smaller curlew (17-18") with a shorter but still curved bill.

Where you'll hear it

Breeds in open grasslands and prairies of the arid western Great Plains and Great Basin. Nests on the ground in short-grass or mixed-grass prairie, pastures, or sagebrush flats often far from water. Outside the breeding season, moves to coastal habitats, tidal mudflats, estuaries, beaches, as well as inland wetlands and flooded fields. During migration and winter, can also be found on agricultural fields and pastures. Unusual among shorebirds in that it is frequently encountered far from shore during summer (on prairies) and then along coasts in winter.

Breeding activities start in early spring (arrival often by April). Males perform spectacular flight displays over nesting territories, flying up and gliding down in circles while giving their ethereal curlew calls. Nesting occurs April–June; chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching in June. By late summer, adults and juveniles move to post-breeding gathering areas and then head to coasts. They form flocks in migration and winter, often mixing with Marbled Godwits. On wintering grounds, they feed in flocks on mudflats or roost together in saltmarshes. Spring migration is relatively early – flocks depart coasts in March to early April bound for the interior breeding grounds.

Similar species

Whimbrel

Smaller curlew (17-18") with a shorter but still curved bill.

Marbled Godwit

Similar size and color and often found together on mudflats.

Long-billed Curlew song FAQ

What does a Long-billed Curlew sound like?
On the breeding grounds, the male Long-billed Curlew gives a loud, ringing territorial song during his display flight. This song is a repeated clear whistle that sounds like "cur-LEE, cur-LEE" or extended as "curleeoo"—an onomatopoeic call that gives the bird its name. In enthusiastic display, it can be a bubbling series of notes culminating in the curlew call. These sounds carry across the prairie and are mainly heard in spring during mating displays. Listen for the "Curlee whistle" phrase.
How do I tell a Long-billed Curlew from a Whimbrel by sound?
Whimbrel: Smaller curlew (17-18") with a shorter but still curved bill.; Distinctly striped head (dark and light stripes on crown) which Long-billed Curlew lacks.; Whimbrels are grayer-brown and have a contrasting dark eye line.; Long-billed Curlew is larger, more buffy, with plain crown and a much longer bill on females..
When is the best time to hear a Long-billed Curlew?
Breeding activities start in early spring (arrival often by April). Males perform spectacular flight displays over nesting territories, flying up and gliding down in circles while giving their ethereal curlew calls. Nesting occurs April–June; chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching in June. By late summer, adults and juveniles move to post-breeding gathering areas and then head to coasts. They form flocks in migration and winter, often mixing with Marbled Godwits. On wintering grounds, they feed in flocks on mudflats or roost together in saltmarshes. Spring migration is relatively early – flocks depart coasts in March to early April bound for the interior breeding grounds.