The Little Curlew is a small yet remarkable wader that undertakes one of the most impressive long-distance migrations in the avian world. This species, with its elegant appearance and subtle charm, is a treasured sighting among birdwatchers, particularly in Australia, where it spends the non-breeding season. Despite its inconspicuous nature, the Little Curlew plays a vital role in grassland and wetland ecosystems and offers insight into the resilience and adaptability of migratory shorebirds.
Identification
The Little Curlew is the smallest member of the curlew genus Numenius, measuring about 28–34 cm in length with a wingspan of 60–70 cm. Its plumage is generally mottled brown above and pale below, providing excellent camouflage in its grassy habitats. Unlike its larger curlew relatives, the Little Curlew has a relatively short, slender bill that is only slightly downcurved. The head is adorned with a pale supercilium (eyebrow line), which contrasts with the dark eye stripe, giving it a gentle and alert expression.
In flight, the bird reveals pale underwings and a relatively uniform appearance, lacking the contrasting patterns seen in some other shorebirds. Its call is a high-pitched, clear whistle often heard during migration.
Habitat and Distribution
The Little Curlew breeds in the open mossy and lichen-dominated tundra of northeastern Siberia, particularly in areas around the Yana and Indigirka Rivers. These regions offer the solitude and ground cover essential for nesting.
After breeding, the species embarks on an epic southward migration to Australia, where it is primarily found in the tropical and subtropical grasslands of northern and eastern Australia, especially the Northern Territory and Queensland. It prefers dry or seasonally wet open plains, grassy floodplains, airstrips, sports fields, and occasionally lightly grazed pastures—often far from water.
Behavior
Little Curlews are highly social birds and are often observed in flocks that may number from a few dozen to several hundred individuals, particularly during migration and on their Australian non-breeding grounds. They are wary and cautious, quickly taking to the air with agile, bounding flight if disturbed.
The species is primarily terrestrial, walking through short grass with a steady, methodical gait as it forages. They are diurnal but may feed at night under moonlight, especially when temperatures are cooler.
Diet
The Little Curlew feeds mainly on insects and other small invertebrates, particularly beetles, ants, termites, grasshoppers, and their larvae. During migration and on the non-breeding grounds, it gleans prey from the surface or probes lightly into soft soil using its sensitive bill.
Its foraging technique is efficient and visually guided, contrasting with the more tactile feeding strategies of larger curlews with longer bills. The bird’s relatively short bill limits its access to deeply buried prey but allows for faster foraging over expansive areas.
Breeding
Breeding takes place from late May through July during the brief Siberian summer. Little Curlews are monogamous during the breeding season, and pairs establish territories on the tundra, often near patches of dwarf shrubs or grassy hummocks.
The nest is a shallow scrape lined with bits of vegetation. Typically, four eggs are laid, camouflaged to blend with the tundra substrate. Both parents share incubation duties, which last about three weeks. After hatching, the downy chicks are precocial, leaving the nest within hours and feeding themselves while being guarded by the parents.
Conservation Status
Currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the Little Curlew does not face immediate threats to its global population. However, its reliance on specific breeding and non-breeding habitats makes it vulnerable to environmental changes. Habitat loss from agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and climate change—particularly affecting the fragile tundra—could impact future populations.
In Australia, the species benefits from the relative abundance of suitable open grassy areas, including man-made environments such as airfields and playing fields. Nevertheless, continued monitoring is important to track any emerging threats, especially as climate variability and land use intensification increase across the migratory flyway.
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