BIRD #29 OF 45

Eastern Curlew

The Eastern Curlew is Australia’s largest migratory shorebird. Every year, it travels thousands of kilometres from its breeding grounds in Siberia to feed along Australia’s coasts.

Sadly, it’s also one of Australia’s most threatened migratory birds, making every sighting extra special.

  • HABITAT

    Mudflats, estuaries, mangroves, coastal wetlands

  • CONSERVATION STATUS

    Critically Endangered (CR)

  • LOCATION

    WA, NT, QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS

  • HOW TO SPOT IT

    🪶 Australia’s largest migratory shorebird
    🦴 Very long, strongly downcurved bill
    🤎 Mottled brown plumage with long blue-grey legs
    🌊 Often seen probing soft mud for crabs, worms and other invertebrates

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Eastern Curlews can fly over 10,000 kilometres non-stop between Australia and their breeding grounds in Siberia, making one of the longest migrations of any Australian bird.