Why Curlews Deserve a Day in the Spotlight.
- quinntempest
- Apr 21
- 4 min read
Today is World Curlew Day, a special occasion dedicated to one of the most distinctive and charming birds you might not have noticed before. If you’re wondering why a bird with such an unusual name gets its own day, stick around. We’ll explore what makes the curlew so fascinating, where it lives, what it eats, and why it’s worth celebrating, as well as how we at The Vale Practice UK can help if you struggle with a fear of curlews or birds.
What Is a Curlew?
Curlews are large wading birds known for their long, curved bills and haunting calls. They belong to the genus Numenius, which includes several species, but the Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) is the most widespread and well-known. These birds have mottled brown feathers that help them blend into marshes, mudflats, and grasslands.
Their long, downward-curved bill is not just for show. It’s perfectly designed for probing deep into soft mud to find tasty treats. Think of it as a built-in fishing rod, but for worms, insects, and small crustaceans.
Where Do Curlews Come From?
Curlews are native to many parts of Europe, Asia, and even parts of Africa. The Eurasian Curlew breeds across northern Europe and Asia, migrating south to warmer regions during the winter. In North America, the Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) is the largest shorebird and is mostly found in the western plains and grasslands.
These birds prefer open landscapes like wetlands, estuaries, and coastal mudflats. They need these habitats to forage and nest, which makes them sensitive to environmental changes.
When Are Curlews Most Common?
Curlews are most visible during their breeding season in spring and early summer. This is when males perform their famous display flights, soaring high and calling out to attract mates. Their haunting, bubbling calls echo across the marshes and moorlands, creating an eerie but beautiful soundtrack to the season.
After breeding, many curlews migrate to milder coastal areas for the winter. Birdwatchers often spot them in large flocks during migration periods in autumn and early spring.
What Do Curlews Eat?
Curlews have a varied diet that mainly consists of:
Earthworms
Insects and larvae
Crustaceans like crabs and shrimps
Small mollusks
Occasionally small amphibians
Their long bills allow them to dig deep into mud and soil to reach hidden prey. This feeding behaviour helps control insect populations and contributes to the health of wetland ecosystems.
What Does a Curlew Call Sound Like?
If you’ve never heard a curlew, imagine a series of bubbling, flute-like whistles that rise and fall in pitch. Their call is often described as haunting or melancholy, which fits their mysterious presence in misty marshes.
The male curlew’s call during mating season is especially distinctive. It’s a loud, rolling “cur-lee, cur-lee” sound that carries over long distances. It’s the bird’s way of saying, “Hey, I’m here, and I’m looking for love!”
How Do Curlews Mate?
Curlews are monogamous during the breeding season. Males perform impressive aerial displays to attract females, flying high with slow wingbeats and calling loudly. Once a pair forms, they defend their territory fiercely.
The female lays 3 to 4 eggs in a simple nest scraped into the ground, often hidden among grasses or heather. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for about 28 days. After hatching, the chicks are precocial, meaning they can walk and feed themselves shortly after birth, but the parents still protect them until they can fly.
How Do Curlews Nest?
Curlew nests are minimalist masterpieces. They don’t build elaborate structures but instead create shallow scrapes on the ground lined with grass, leaves, or feathers. This simple approach helps the nest blend into the surroundings, protecting eggs from predators.
Nesting sites are usually in open moorlands, grasslands, or wetlands with good visibility. This allows the parents to spot danger early and defend their young.
How Will Environmental or Ecological Change Impact Curlews?
Climate change poses a serious threat to curlews. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns affect the wetlands and grasslands that curlews depend on to survive. Here’s how:
Habitat loss: Wetlands may dry up or become unsuitable for feeding and nesting.
Food availability: Changes in insect and worm populations could reduce food sources.
Breeding disruption: Unpredictable weather can affect breeding timing and success.
Increased predation: Habitat changes may expose nests to more predators.
Scientists warn that without action, curlew populations could decline sharply. Protecting their habitats and monitoring their numbers is crucial.
Why Do Curlews Get Their Own National Day?
Curlews have earned their own day because they symbolise the health of wetland ecosystems. They are indicators of environmental quality, meaning if curlews thrive, the ecosystem is likely in good shape.
World Curlew Day raises awareness about the challenges these birds face and encourages conservation efforts. It’s a chance to celebrate a bird that is both beautiful and vital to biodiversity.
Plus, who wouldn’t want to celebrate a bird with such a memorable call and quirky long bill?
Other Feathered Facts: Birds that are commonly mistaken for a Eurasian Curlew include:
Whimbrel (smaller, shorter bill; bold head stripes)
Bar-tailed Godwit (often in flocks; bill slightly upturned; less “hunched” look)
Black-tailed Godwit (longer legs; straighter bill; cleaner, more elegant shape)
Common Snipe (much smaller; very long straight bill; usually flushed from cover)
Woodcock (stockier woodland bird; shorter legs; different flight/behaviour)
Redshank / Greenshank (smaller waders; obvious leg colour; straighter bills)
Oystercatcher (black-and-white with a long orange bill—sometimes confused at a glance on shore)
Can you eat curlews?
NO!
You absolutely cannot and should not.
They are endangered; disturbing or harming them in any way is banned in law or other policy in most countries of the world.
So what can be done to support curlews?
Raise awareness about their species.
Explain the harms of climate change for curlews
Protect their habitats and do your best to stop deforestation
Help research and track their populations and migration patterns
Supporting campaigns or donating to conservation causes
Study the species and become an expert
Lobby your MP to introduce further policy for their protection
Get into birdwatching in your own garden
What if I am afraid of curlews, or birds in general?
Please contact us on 078510138902 or info@thevalepracticeuk.com
We can book you in for a no-obligation free 90-minute consultation as soon as possible.
We can gather more information about your phobia, and we can treat it.
You won't believe the difference that the right approach makes, whether it's hypnotherapy or CBT.
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