Eurasian Curlew, Wulp, Großer Brachvogel, Maçarico Real, Zarapito Real
Spotted in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Eurasian Curlew sound
The Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is one of the most widespread of the curlews, breeding across temperate Europe and Asia. In Europe, this species is often referred to just as the “Curlew”, and in Scotland known as the “whaup” in Scots.
This is the largest wader in its range, at 50–60 cm (20–24 in) in length, with a 89–106 cm (35–42 in) wingspan and a body weight of 410–1,360 g (0.90–3.00 lb). It is mainly greyish brown, with a white back, and a very long curved bill. Males and females look identical, but the bill is longest in the adult female. It is generally not possible to recognize the sex of a single Eurasian Curlew, or even several ones as there is much variation; telling male and female of a mated pair apart is usually possible however.
The familiar call, from which this bird gets it name, is a loud curloo-oo.
The only similar species over most of the Curlew’s range is the Whimbrel (N. phaeopus). The Whimbrel is smaller and has a shorter bill with a kink rather than a smooth curve. Flying Curlews may also resemble, albeit not existing in the same area, Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) in their winter plumages; however, the latter have a smaller body, a slightly upturned beak, and legs that do not reach far beyond their tail tips. The Eurasian Curlew’s feet are longer, forming a conspicuous “point”.
The Curlew exists as a migratory species over most of its range, wintering in Africa, southern Europe and south Asia. Occasionally a vagrant individual reaches places far from its normal range, such as Nova Scotia and the Marianas. It is present all year in the milder climates of the United Kingdom and its adjacent European coasts.
It is generally wary. Highly gregarious outside the breeding season, the Eurasian Curlew feeds by probing soft mud for small invertebrates, but will also pick small crabs and earthworms off the surface if the opportunity arises.
The nest is a bare scrape on taiga, meadow, and similar habitats. Each Curlew lays between 3 and 6 eggs in April or May and incubates them for about a month until they begin to hatch.
The Curlew is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
Formerly classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, it was suspected to be rarer than generally assumed. Following the evaluation of its population size, this was found to be incorrect, and it was consequently promoted to Near Threatened status in 2008. Though it is a common bird, its numbers are noticeably declining. In Ireland, for example, the breeding population is estimated to have declined by 86% in the last 30 years.
Other synonyms:
Afrikaans: Grootwulp
Asturian: Algaraván
Breton: Ar c’hefeleg-aod, Kefeleg-mor
Catalan: Becut, Curlera reial
Catalan (Balears): Curlera reial
Czech: Koliha velká
Welsh: Chwibanogl y mynydd, Chwibanwr, Cwliwn, Cwrlif, Cwrlig, Cwrlip, Gylfinir
Danish: Stor regnspove, Storspove
German: Brachvogel, Doppelschnepfe, Feldschnepfe, Geissvogel, Grossbrachvogel, Großer Brachvogel, GroßerBrachvogel, Kronschnepfe, Regenvogel, Schlammlaufer
English: Common Curlew, Curlew, Curlew Curlew, Eurasian Curlew, European Curlew, Western Curlew, Whaup
Esperanto: granda kurlo
Spanish: Zarapito Real
Estonian: Suurkoovitaja
Basque: Becut, Kurlinta handia
Finnish: Isokuovi, Kuovi
Faroese: Tangspógvi
French: Courlis cendré
Frisian: Wylp
Irish: Crotach, Cuirliún
Gaelic: Guilbinn, Guilbneach
Galician: Becut, Mazarico real
Manx: Crottag, Cruittagh
Hindi: Kuthirai malai kottan
Croatian: Veliki Pozviždac
Hungarian: Nagy póling
Indonesian: Gajahan besar, Gajahan Erasia, Gegajahan besar
Icelandic: Fjöruspói
Italian: Chiurlo, Chiurlo maggiore
Japanese: daishakushigi, Daishaku-shigi
Cornish: Gelvynak
Latin: Numenius arquata, Numenius arquatus
Lithuanian: Didžioji kuolinga
Latvian: Kluitans, Kluite, Kronšnepe, Kuitala, Purva kuilis
Malagasy: Kiokoika, Koikoika, Mantazazana
Malay: Kendi Besar
Maltese: Gurlin
Dutch: Wulp
Norwegian: Kystspove, Storspove
Polish: Kulik mniejszy, kulik wielki
Portuguese: maçarico real, Maçarico-real
Romansh: Fliaun grond
Sardinian: Chiùrrulu, Zurlìu, Zurrulìu
Scots: Guilbinn, Guilbneach
Northern Sami: Stuorraguškil
Slovenian: veliki škurh
Albanian: Kojliku i madh
Serbian: Carska šljuka, carska šljuka, zlovremenica
Sotho, Southern: Keooe
Swedish: Storspov
Swahili: Kipila, Membe Sululu, Sululu
Travel Birdwatching Holiday Alentejo, Vacation Portugal for birders to see birds on your trip. Individual Guided Excursions.