Distinguishing Features
Canada's largest shorebird, the
Long-billed Curlew has an extremely long, slender, down-curved bill.
Generally cinnamon-brown coloured, with darker brown mottling on
the back. Lack of dark stripes through the eye and on the head distinguish
it from other large shorebirds like the Whimbrel. Total length 51-66
cm (Godfrey, 1986).
Distribution
Columbia Basin: Grasslands of the
East Kootenays.
British Columbia: Breeding populations
occur in the Cariboo-Chilcotin grasslands, on the Thompson Plateau,
the Okanagan Valley, and in the East Kootenay. Small populations
are also known to occur near McBride, Quesnel and Creston. Recent
sightings in Prince George and Vanderhoof area may indicate new
breeding populations (Cannings et al. In prep.).
Global: Breeds from sw. Canada south
to Utah, New Mexico, and Texas. Formerly east to Wisconsin and Illinois.
Winters from California, w. Nevada, Texas, and Louisiana south to
Guatemala; also in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (Godfrey
1986).
Habitat
In British Columbia, Long-billed
Curlews nest in large tracts of open grasslands between 280 and
1220 m elevation. Tall thick patches of grasses and shrubs are avoided,
and preferred sites have low vegetative cover, usually on flat grassy
uplands, open ridges and hillsides. The nest is a depression in
the ground, lined with bits of grass and occasionally twigs. Broods
tend to be reared in relatively moist habitats, such as seepage
sites and hay fields (Godfrey 1986, Cannings et al. In prep.).
Threats
British Columbia population is estimated
at 300 - 500 birds. Generally believed to be declining, however
East Kootenay population (40 - 50 pair) is increasing (Cannings
R.J. In prep.). Breeding Bird Surveys suggest the trend is generally
positive in British Columbia with the exception of the Cariboo-Chilcotin
grasslands (Cannings et al. In prep.) Habitat loss through intensive
agricultural development and overgrazing by livestock is considered
responsible for general population. Continued habitat losses are
most likely, particularly in areas with rapid urban and agricultural
development and areas where there is forest encroachment into grasslands
(Cannings et al. In prep.).
Biology
Long-billed Curlews feed on terrestrial insects
during the breeding season and aquatic invertebrates on their coastal
wintering grounds. Most Long-billed Curlews arrive on the breeding
grounds between late March and early April. The average clutch size
in British Columbia is 3.6 eggs and the incubation period is 27
- 28 days. Most young are fledged by mid-July. Migration to coastal
habitats begins in late July and continues through August (Cannings
et al. In prep.).
