Curlew

(Numenius arquata)

Alert Status: Red – 38% decline

 

Identifying Features: The curlew is a wader with a distinctive long, slender, curved beak.  Usually a greyish brown with a blue tone to their grey legs. Its call is a loud "curloo-oo". 
Average Length: 50-60 cm
Average Lifespan: 11 years
Average Wingspan: 89-106 cm

 

Feeding:
Natural: Mainly on mud or very soft ground, using curved beak to search for worms and other invertebrates, sometimes crabs 

 

Nesting: a bare scrape on open ground

 

Where to see: Should be seen on wetlands, moorlands and mudflats throughout UK, but populations are very low.