LBCurlew

Long-Billed Curlew Numenius americanus

Long-Billed Curlew Numenius americanus

The Long-billed Curlew is the largest shorebird in North America, nesting on the ground in the high plains, pastures and rangelands of the Great Plains and Great Basin of the western United States. It is also one of the most threatened. Habitat degradation of their breeding grounds of native grasslands of the West and wintering areas of the coasts of Florida and the Gulf has them on the Audubon watch list. The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan lists the bird as “highly imperiled”. It was once more common and widespread during the mid 1800’s, but suffered serious decline as a game bird. I had met someone in Florida while photographing in a park that referred to the bird as “flying venison”.

Although its diet includes many species of invertebrates and some vertebrates, its bill is most adapted to its winter diet of shrimp and crabs living in deep burrows on tidal mudflats.

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Shorebirds

Deepbrook Nature Photography