Curlews are a group of nine bird species in the genus Numenius, known for their long, downcurved bills and mottled brown plumage. The name “curlew” is derived from the Eurasian curlew’s call and possibly influenced by Old French. The Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata) is the most commonly referenced species in Europe.
These ancient waders, related to godwits, feed on worms and invertebrates found in mud or soft ground, occasionally consuming crabs. Curlews are widely distributed, with strong migratory patterns, found across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Over the past century, curlew populations have declined due to agricultural changes. The Eurasian curlew faces significant threats in Ireland, where breeding populations have dwindled, raising extinction concerns. Stone-curlews, while sharing a name, belong to a different family (Burhinidae) and are not true curlews.
