As a wildlife enthusiast living, I’ve always been captivated by the beauty and mystery of birds. One species that stands out is the curlew, which can often be spotted along the coastlines and wetlands. With its long, curved beak and distinctive call, the curlew is an iconic part of our birdlife. If you've ever wondered what these fascinating birds eat, you're in for a treat. After some observation and research, I’ve gathered all the essential details about the curlew's diet and feeding habits that I’d like to share with you.
Introduction to the curlew
Before diving into their diet, let’s take a quick look at the curlew itself. The curlew belongs to the Numenius genus in the wader family and is often found in coastal and wetland environments. There are several species of curlews, but the most common are the Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) and the Hudsonian Curlew (Numenius hudsonicus). In Australia, the Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) is the species most frequently spotted along our shores.
What sets the curlew apart from other shorebirds is its long, downward-curved bill, which is perfectly adapted for probing soft mud, sand, and soil in search of food. It’s this unique feature that makes the curlew such an expert forager in wetlands, estuaries, and along coastal habitats.
The curlew’s diet: What do they eat?
Curlews are omnivores, meaning their diet consists of both animal and plant matter. However, they predominantly feed on invertebrates—creatures like worms, mollusks, insects, and crustaceans. The availability of food can change depending on the season and location, and curlews are quite adaptable in their feeding habits.
Here’s a closer look at the main food sources for curlews:
1. Worms (mainly marine worms)
Curlews have an impressive ability to locate marine worms, especially species like ragworms and lugworms. These worms are found in abundance along muddy shorelines and intertidal zones—exactly where curlews love to forage. The long, curved bill is ideal for probing the mud, and curlews use their bills to detect vibrations in the soil, allowing them to pinpoint the location of the worms. Once they find their prey, curlews quickly jab their bills into the ground to capture the worms.
Interestingly, Australian wetlands like those in the coastal areas of Queensland provide excellent feeding grounds for curlews, where marine worms are plentiful and easy to find during low tide.
2. Mollusks (Clams and snails)
Mollusks, including clams, snails, and limpets, are another important part of the curlew’s diet. These creatures thrive in coastal habitats and are often buried in the mud or sand, making them a perfect food source for curlews. Using their long beaks, curlews can dig into the mud and extract mollusks, even those that are buried deeper than other birds can reach.
Whether foraging on the tidal flats or along the shorelines of estuaries, curlews are often seen hunting for mollusks. Their ability to extract food from deep within the mud gives them an edge over other shorebirds that stick to surface-level feeding.
3. Insects and other invertebrates
Curlews also eat a variety of insects and other small invertebrates. This might include beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and even small spiders. When curlews migrate inland or head to higher altitudes, particularly during breeding season, insects become a more prominent part of their diet. In some cases, curlews can be found foraging in agricultural fields, where insects are plentiful.
One of the more fascinating sights is seeing curlews feeding on the insects that inhabit the grassy areas of rural Australia, like in the paddocks of New South Wales, where the landscape is rich in these small critters.
4. Crustaceans
Along with worms and mollusks, curlews feed on crustaceans like shrimp and small crabs. These are often found in tidal zones or muddy estuarine areas. In Australia, curlews commonly feed on small crabs along the muddy shores of the Northern Territory or the coastal areas of Tasmania. Their curved bill allows them to extract crustaceans from the sand and mud, providing them with an additional protein source.
In certain coastal regions, especially near mangrove forests, curlews can be seen hunting for crabs and shrimp in the shallows, a prime feeding ground for many wading birds.
5. Plant matter (seeds and berries)
While curlews are primarily carnivorous, they do consume some plant matter, especially when other food sources are less available. In areas where food from the sea is scarce, curlews may turn to seeds, berries, and other vegetation. Grasses, sedges, and wild plants often provide seeds that curlews can forage for, especially in wetter fields or along the edges of marshlands.
In Australia, where some curlews migrate inland to more terrestrial habitats, they may forage for seeds or berries, especially during the colder months when animal prey is harder to find.
How do curlews forage for food?
Curlews are incredibly skilled at foraging, and their long, curved bills are a key part of their technique. These birds use their bills to probe the mud, sand, or soft soil in search of food. They often use a rhythmic movement, tapping or feeling around with their bills, until they detect the movement of prey beneath the surface. Once they’ve located something edible, they jab their bills swiftly to catch the food.
Curlews are often seen foraging alone, but during the winter months, they may gather in small flocks to hunt for food together. This helps them cover larger areas and increase their chances of finding enough food. In some parts of Australia, such as coastal wetlands in Victoria, curlews may be spotted in larger groups, especially during migration periods.
Where do curlews forage?
Curlews are most commonly found in coastal habitats, such as mudflats, estuaries, and tidal flats, where food sources like worms, mollusks, and crustaceans are abundant. Wetlands and marshes also make for excellent curlew feeding grounds. In fact, some of the best places to spot curlews in Australia are along the shores of Queensland’s coastal marshes or the mudflats in the Kakadu region of the Northern Territory.
During migration, curlews may stop at inland areas or agricultural fields, where they can forage for insects, seeds, and other plant matter. This adaptability allows them to thrive in a variety of environments, making them one of the more resilient bird species.
Final thought
In conclusion, curlews are fascinating and adaptable birds with a diverse diet that includes marine worms, mollusks, insects, crustaceans, and some plant matter. Their long, curved bills allow them to access food buried deep in mud and sand, giving them a unique edge when foraging. Whether they’re probing tidal flats for marine worms, hunting for crustaceans along the shorelines, or feeding on seeds and insects in the fields, curlews are skilled foragers that can thrive in a variety of habitats.
If you ever spot a curlew in the wild, take a moment to admire how perfectly adapted it is to its environment. Whether along the shores of Tasmania or the mudflats of Queensland, these birds continue to capture the wonder of birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.