Eskimo Curlew -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 12-14 inches | Wingspan: 24- 26 inches | Seasonality: Migrant |
| ID Keys: Slender decurved bill, dark brown crown with buff spots and edging, buffy supercilium | ||
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Eskimo Curlew
Numenius borealis
Once possibly among the most numerous of shorebirds to migrate through the Great Plains, the Eskimo Curlew is now feared extinct. The last verified sighting was in Barbados in 1963, with the last unconfirmed records coming in the early 1980's. Highly sought after in the 1800's as a game-bird because of their plump bodies, vast numbers were shot for food. While other shorebirds began to make a comeback after hunting stopped, Eskimo Curlews continued to decline.
Habitat: Nests on the Arctic tundra. In winter and migration, could be found on open areas such as agricultural fields and grasslands.
Diet: Insects, some fruits and berries.
Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota
Song: Soft high-pitched squeaks and whistles.
Migrations: Breeds in northwestern Canada and Alaska. Winters in South America.
Similar Species: Whimbrel
Status: Presumed extinct, with no verified sightings since 1963. Go to the South Dakota Endangered Species page for more information.
Further Information: 1) Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center info -- Eskimo Curlew
Photo Information: No photo yet for this species. If you have a photo you'd like to share, please send to the e-mail address at the bottom of the page. Better yet, if you get a RECENT photo, alert the authorities because you're on to something!!!
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08