Numenius arquata arquata

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names

English : Eurasian curlew
French : Courlis cendré

Classification

Class : Aves
Order : Charadriiformes
Family : Scolopacidae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known

Identification

Adults can reach 60 cm in length for a weight of about 1.3 kg. Females are slightly bigger than males. Very long curved black and red bill, gray legs. Plumage gray-brown, darker on wings and back, clearer on belly and breast.

Range and habitat

The species breeds from the northern half of Europe to east Russia and north-east China. Winters in coastal regions of Africa, south Europe and south Asia. Subspecies found in Europe, west to Ural mountains. Breeds on damp grasslands, coastal marshes and swampy areas.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Not Listed
Status : This species has experienced important declines because of degradation of habitat, mostly by the means of intensive agricultural practices.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation