Taxonomy
Numenius arquata | Eurasian Curlew | Crotach
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
This species is Red-listed
according to Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland 2020-2026 and is of high
conservation value as a result.
The most recent IUCN Red List
assessment, carried out in 2017, lists the Curlew as a ‘Near Threatened’
species on a global scale, with a decreasing population trend.
Species Biology
Identification
The Curlew is the largest wader
in Europe and can be identified by its long, downward facing, curved bill,
brown upperparts with intricate dark brown markings, and long neck and legs.
Upon first glance, it may be
confused with the Whimbrel, a similar looking wader of the same Genus, but the
Curlew is a physically larger bird.
The Curlew stands at 50-60 cm in
length with a wingspan of 80-100 cm and a weight range of 575-1,000 grams. The
female is larger, typically weighing closer to the 1 kg mark, with the smaller
male weighing closer to 770 grams.
Diet
The Curlew primarily feeds on
invertebrates such as ragworms, crabs, molluscs and shrimps in winter and
Tipulidae larvae and earthworms while in grassland during the summer (European Commission, 2007).
Ecology
Habitat
Curlew occur along most of Ireland’s estuaries and in damp grassland.
Breeding occurs in rough pasture, meadows and other areas of semi-natural vegetation.
Reproduction
The Curlew lays a clutch of four
eggs, each weighing approximately 76 grams, from mid-late April to late-May.
These eggs are incubated for a period of 27-29 days.
The young will fledge after 32-38
days.
A typical wild curlew can be
expected to live for around 11 years with breeding occurring in the second
year.
Conservation actions
Resulting from the overall
decline in breeding Curlew in Ireland, programmes such as the Curlew
Conservation Programme have been implemented with the intention of protecting
Curlew nesting attempts and increasing habitat suitability for the species.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
The small Irish breeding population
is now largely confined to the midlands and northwest of the country. The
resident population is bolstered each winter by visitors from Europe.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
Further information
BirdWatch Ireland: https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds/curlew/
The Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/curlew/
British Trust for Ornithology: https://app.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob5410.htm
IUCN Red List: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22693190/117917038
Curlew Conservation Programme Annual Report 2020: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/general/curlew-conservation-programme-annual-report-2020.pdf
Action for Curlew in Ireland (Curlew Task Force): https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/general/curlew-task-force-recommendations.pdf
References
Publications
European Commission, 2007. MANAGEMENT PLAN for CURLEW (Numenius
arquata). [online] Available at: <https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/hunting/docs/curlew.pdf>
[Accessed 10 Jun. 2021].