The Eastern Curlew is a large migratory wading bird that breeds in NE China and Russia. It has a long neck, long legs and a long downward curved bill. It has a brown head and neck and a streaked brown/grey body. It is found in sheltered coastal areas and estuaries typically on mudflats and saltmarsh which are the main feeding habitats and more rarely on ocean beaches. The Eastern Curlew eats mainly small crustaceans, small molluscs and insects. They may feed singly, in small groups or occasionally in large flocks. In Tasmania they are seen on Bass Strait islands and the north and east coasts.
In Tasmania threats are from human interference to feeding and roosting particularly as the birds are very wary and are easily disturbed. Reduction of habitat by coastal developments and pollution near human settlements may affect food availability. Elsewhere the birds are hunted on their migration routes and in the Northern Hemisphere pollution and coastal developments in breeding areas are having a significant impact.
A complete species management profile is not currently available for
this species. Check for further information on this page and any
relevant
Activity Advice.
