Numenius arquata

Numenius arquata (Information about this image)

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Archosauromorpha
Cladus: Crurotarsi
Divisio: Archosauria
Cladus: Avemetatarsalia
Cladus: Ornithodira
Subtaxon: Dinosauromorpha
Cladus: Dinosauriformes
Cladus: Dracohors
Cladus: Dinosauria
Cladus: Saurischia
Cladus: Eusaurischia
Subordo: Theropoda
Cladus: Neotheropoda
Cladus: Averostra
Cladus: Tetanurae
Cladus: Avetheropoda
Cladus: Coelurosauria
Cladus: Tyrannoraptora
Cladus: Maniraptoromorpha
Cladus: Maniraptoriformes
Cladus: Maniraptora
Cladus: Pennaraptora
Cladus: Paraves
Cladus: Eumaniraptora
Cladus: Avialae
Infraclassis: Aves
Cladus: Avebrevicauda
Cladus: Pygostylia
Cladus: Ornithothoraces
Cladus: Ornithuromorpha
Cladus: Carinatae
Parvclassis: Neornithes
Cohors: Neognathae
Cladus: Neoaves
Ordo: Charadriiformes
Subordo: Charadrii

Familia: Scolopacidae
Genus: Numenius
Species: Numenius arquata
Subspecies: N. a. arquata – N. a. orientalis – N. a. suschkini
Name

Numenius arquata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms

Scolopax arquata (protonym)

References

Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema Naturae per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis, Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiæ: impensis direct. Laurentii Salvii. i–ii, 1–824 pp DOI: 10.5962/bhl.title.542: 145. Open access Reference page.

Vernacular names
Afrikaans: Grootwulp
Alemannisch: Luivogel
Ænglisc: Hwilpe
العربية: كروان الماء
asturianu: Algaraván
azərbaycanca: Böyük kronşnep
žemaitėška: Porvis
беларуская (тарашкевіца): Вялікі кулён
беларуская: Вялікі кулон
български: Голям свирец
বাংলা: ইউরেশীয় গুলিন্দা
brezhoneg: Kefeleg-aod
català: Becut eurasiàtic
kaszëbsczi: Wiôldżi bagniôrz
čeština: Koliha velká
Cymraeg: Gylfinir
dansk: Storspove
Deutsch: Großer Brachvogel
Ελληνικά: Τουρλίδα
English: Eurasian Curlew
Esperanto: Granda kurlo
español: Zarapito real
eesti: Suurkoovitaja
euskara: Kurlinta handia
فارسی: گیلان‌شاه معمولی
suomi: Kuovi
føroyskt: Tangspógvi
Nordfriisk: Grat rintüüter
français: Courlis cendré
Frysk: Wylp
Gaeilge: Crotach
Gàidhlig: Guilbinn
galego: Mazarico real
Gaelg: Crottag
עברית: חרמשון גדול
हिन्दी: गुलिंदा
hrvatski: Veliki pozviždač
magyar: Nagy póling
հայերեն: Մեծ Արորիկ
Bahasa Indonesia: Gajahan erasia
íslenska: Fjöruspói
italiano: Chiurlo maggiore
日本語: ダイシャクシギ
ქართული: დიდი კრონშნეპი
қазақша: Үлкен шалшықшы
한국어: 마도요
kernowek: Gelvynak
Lëtzebuergesch: Broochvull
lietuvių: Didžioji kuolinga
latviešu: Kuitala
Malagasy: Kiokoika
македонски: Мала српоклуна шлука
മലയാളം: വാള്‍ക്കൊക്കന്‍
монгол: Морин тутгалжин - ᠮᠣᠷᠢᠨ ᠲᠣᠲᠣᠭᠣᠯᠵᠢᠨ
кырык мары: Йӱрлӹквӹтельӹ
Bahasa Melayu: Burung Kedidi Kendi
Malti: Gurlin
Nedersaksies: Wilp
Plattdüütsch: Güttvagel
नेपाली: आँसीठुँडे
Nederlands: Wulp
norsk nynorsk: Storspove
norsk: Storspove
Nouormand: Corlieu
polski: Kulik wielki
پنجابی: یوریشیائی کرلیو
português: Maçarico-real
rumantsch: Fliaun grond
română: Culicul mare
русский: Большой кроншнеп
sicilianu: Vinaru
Scots: Whaup
sardu: Chiùrrulu
davvisámegiella: Stuorraguškil
srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски: Veliki pozviždač
slovenčina: Hvizdák veľký
slovenščina: Veliki škurh
shqip: Kojliku i madh
српски / srpski: Carska šljuka - Царска шлјука
Seeltersk: Wälp
Sesotho: Keooe
svenska: Storspov
Kiswahili: Membe sululu
தமிழ்: Peria Kottan
ไทย: นกอีก๋อยใหญ่
Türkçe: Bayağı kervan çulluğu
українська: Кульон великий
vèneto: Arcada
Tiếng Việt: Chim mỏ nhát
Zeêuws: Wulpe
中文: 白腰杓鹬

The Eurasian curlew or common curlew (Numenius arquata) is a very large wader in the family Scolopacidae. It is one of the most widespread of the curlews, breeding across temperate Europe and Asia. In Europe, this species is often referred to just as the "curlew", and in Scotland known as the "whaup" in Scots.
Taxonomy

The Eurasian curlew was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Scolopax arquata.[2] It is now placed with eight other curlews in the genus Numenius that was introduced by the French ornithologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760.[3][4] The genus name Numenius is from Ancient Greek νουμήνιος, noumēnios, a bird mentioned by Hesychius. It is associated with the curlew because it appears to be derived from neos, "new" and mene "moon", referring to the crescent-shaped bill. The species name arquata is the Medieval Latin name for this bird, derived from Latin arcuatus, "bow-shaped", and again referring to the shape of the bill.[5]

The English name "curlew" is imitative of the Eurasian curlew's call, but may have been influenced by the Old French corliu, "messenger", from courir , "to run". It was first recorded in 1377 in Langland's Piers Plowman "Fissch to lyue in þe flode..Þe corlue by kynde of þe eyre".[6]

Three subspecies are recognised:[4]

N. a. arquata, (Linnaeus, 1758) – breeds in west, north & central Europe
N. a. orientalis, Brehm – 1831 – breeds in west & central Siberia through to Northeast China
N. a. suschkini, Neumann, 1929 – breeds from western Kazakhstan to southwestern Siberia

Description

The Eurasian curlew is the largest wader in its range, at 50–60 cm (20–24 in) in length, with an 89–106 cm (35–42 in) wingspan and a body weight of 410–1,360 g (0.90–3.00 lb).[7] It is mainly greyish brown, with a white back, greyish-blue legs and a very long curved bill. Males and females look identical, but the bill is longest in the adult female. It is generally not possible to recognize the sex of a single Eurasian curlew, or even several ones, as there is much variation; telling male and female of a mated pair apart is usually possible however. The familiar call is a loud curloo-oo.

The only similar species over most of the curlew's range is the Eurasian whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus). The whimbrel is smaller and has a shorter bill with a kink rather than a smooth curve. Flying curlews may also resemble bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica) in their winter plumages; however, the latter have a smaller body, a slightly upturned beak, and legs that do not reach far beyond their tail tips. The Eurasian curlew's feet are longer, forming a conspicuous "point".
Distribution and habitat

The curlew exists as a migratory species over most of its range, wintering in Africa, southern Europe and south Asia. Occasionally a vagrant individual reaches places far from its normal range, such as Nova Scotia[8] and the Marianas.[9][10] It is present all year in the milder climates of Ireland and the United Kingdom and its adjacent European coasts.

Reclamation and drainage of marshy fields and moorland, and afforestation of the latter, have led to local decreases, while conversion of forest to grassland in some parts of Scandinavia has led to increases there.[11]
Behaviour and ecology

The Eurasian curlew is generally wary. It is highly gregarious outside the breeding season.
Breeding

The nest is a bare scrape on taiga, meadow, and similar habitats. The clutch size of the curlew consists of four eggs which are laid in April or May, and the mother incubates them for about a month until they begin to hatch. It has been observed that curlews tend to nest close to common kestrels’ nests, as they can offer protection from other predators, such as corvids, even though kestrels also prey on curlew nests.[12]

clutch of eggs
clutch of eggs
Eggs Museum Wiesbaden, Germany
Eggs Museum Wiesbaden, Germany
In flight, Argyll, Scotland
In flight, Argyll, Scotland
skull
skull

Food and feeding

The Eurasian curlew feeds by probing soft mud for small invertebrates, but will also pick small crabs and earthworms from the surface if the opportunity arises.
Predation

Eurasian curlews eggs are preyed on by foxes and predatory birds.[13] In addition sheep have been recorded by the BBC nature series Springwatch preying on the eggs.[14][15]
Status

The Eurasian curlew was formerly listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, owing to its expansive range and relatively large population. However, the population of the Eurasian curlew was noticed to be declining at a very rapid rate. Following the evaluation of its population trend, the classification was found to be outdated, and it was consequently promoted to Near Threatened status in 2008. Though it is a common bird, its numbers are noticeably declining,[1] particularly in the United Kingdom and Ireland, which have about a quarter of the global population. In the twenty years up to 2016, the population is estimated to have declined by more than 50% in England and Scotland, more than 80% in Wales, and more than 90% in Ireland. At the end of 2015 it was placed on the United Kingdom's red list of most endangered bird species.[16] The curlew is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.[17]

Research by scientists at the British Trust for Ornithology suggests that curlew populations in the UK have been negatively affected in areas with high levels of arable farming and afforestation which have reduced its natural habitats of open grasslands.[18]
Gallery

Eurasian Curlew at Chilika Lake, India
Eurasian Curlew at Chilika Lake, India
Eurasian curlew pictured in the former coat of arms of Oulunsalo, Finland
Eurasian curlew pictured in the former coat of arms of Oulunsalo, Finland

References

BirdLife International (2017). "Numenius arquata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22693190A117917038. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22693190A117917038.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
Linnaeus, Carl (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis (in Latin). Vol. 1 (10th ed.). Holmiae (Stockholm): Laurentii Salvii. p. 145.
Brisson, Mathurin Jacques (1760). Ornithologie, ou, Méthode contenant la division des oiseaux en ordres, sections, genres, especes & leurs variétés (in French and Latin). Vol. 1. Paris: Jean-Baptiste Bauche. Vol. 1, p. 48, Vol. 5, p. 311.
Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2021). "Sandpipers, snipes, coursers". IOC World Bird List Version 11.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 56, =276. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
"Curlew". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
Dunning, John B. Jr., ed. (1992). CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses. CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-8493-4258-5.
"Eurasian Curlew". Birds of Nova Scotia. Natural History Museum of Nova Scotia (NHMNS). 1998. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
Wiles, Gary J.; Worthington, David J.; Beck, Robert E. Jr.; Pratt, H. Douglas; Aguon, Celestino F.; Pyle, Robert L. (2000). "Noteworthy Bird Records for Micronesia, with a Summary of Raptor Sightings in the Mariana Islands, 1988–1999" (PDF). Micronesica. 32 (2): 257–284. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-04-23.
Wiles, Gary J.; Johnson, Nathan C.; de Cruz, Justine B.; Dutson, Guy; Camacho, Vicente A.; Kepler, Angela Kay; Vice, Daniel S.; Garrett, Kimball L.; Kessler, Curt C.; Pratt, H. Douglas (2004). "New and Noteworthy Bird Records for Micronesia, 1986–2003". Micronesica. 37 (1): 69–96. Archived from the original on 2009-05-05.
Encyclopedia of the Animal World (1977): Vol.6: 518–519. Bay Books, Sydney.
Norrdahl, K., Suhonen, J., Hemminki, O. et al. Oecologia (1995) 101: 105. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00328906
"Conserving the curlew - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust". www.gwct.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
Kossoff, Julian (2018-05-30). "Killer Sheep Discovered Wolfing Down Bird Chicks". International Business Times. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
Winter, Stuart (2018-05-30). "BBC Springwatch: Chris Packham SHOCKED by KILLER SHEEP". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
McCarthy, Michael (22 February 2016). "Nature Studies: If we lose the curlew, we lose the sound of the British wilderness". The Independent. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
"Species". Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). Retrieved 14 November 2021.
Franks, Samantha E.; Douglas, David J. T.; Gillings, Simon; Pearce-Higgins, James W. (2017-07-03). "Environmental correlates of breeding abundance and population change of Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata in Britain". Bird Study. 64 (3): 393–409. doi:10.1080/00063657.2017.1359233. ISSN 0006-3657. S2CID 89966879.