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Curlew

Curlews

Eastern Curlew
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Charadriiformes
Family†:Scolopacidae
Genera
Numenius
Bartramia
† see also: wader

The curlews are a group of 8 wading bird species, characterised by a long slender downcurved bill and mainly brown plumage with little seasonal change. They are closely related to the godwits, but the latter have straight bills.

Curlews feed on mud or very soft ground, searching for worms and other invertebrates their long bills. They will also take crabs and similar items.

The Upland Sandpiper is an odd bird which appears to be closely related to the curlews.

Species are:

Note that the stone-curlews are not true curlews (family Scolopacidae) but members of the family Burhinidae, which is separate but probably related.