curlew
Long-billed shorebird
A curlew is a large wading bird with long legs and a distinctive long, curved bill, found in wetlands, mudflats, and coastal areas.
Curlews are known for their haunting, melodic calls.
Several species exist worldwide, with some populations declining due to habitat loss: We spotted a curlew probing the mud for invertebrates.
Coastal bird species
- long-billedHaving extended beak
- probingThoroughly investigating something
- foragingSeeking wild food sources
- stiltsPoles raising walkers higher
invertebrates · sandpiper · godwit · whimbrel · oystercatcher · avocet · redshank · plover
Shrill air-blown sounder
- trillRapid pitch oscillation
- cryVocal expression of emotion
- pipingTubes for fluid transport
- tremoloRapid tonal wavering
warble · whistling · ululation · peep · song · bubbling · fluting · mournful
Natural planetary satellite
- omenProphetic indicator
- moorlandOpen uncultivated upland
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
- lonelyWanting companionship
haunting · spirit · myth · legend · nocturnal · mystery · superstition · herald
Coastal areas exposed at low tide
- estuariesRiver-sea meeting points
- marshesWaterlogged land with grasses
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- moorlandOpen uncultivated upland
saltmarsh · tideline · shoreline · intertidal · heathland · grassland · tundra · peatland
Obscure in meaning
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
- mottledHaving irregular color patches
- streakedMarked with bands
- brownDark earth tone
concealment · blend · coloration · pattern · disruptive · underbrush · ground-nesting · protective
Aerial migration corridors
- winteringPassing the cold season
- breedingReproductive cultivation of organisms
- stopoverBrief halt mid-journey
- seasonalRecurring at fixed intervals
northward · southward · long-distance · transcontinental · navigation · instinct · autumn · spring
At risk of extinction
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- protectionGuarding against harm
- declineDecrease or refuse
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
breeding · restoration · sanctuary · stewardship · reserve · monitoring · nesting · predation
shorebird
Coastal bird species
- long-billedHaving extended beak
- probingThoroughly investigating something
- foragingSeeking wild food sources
stilts · invertebrates · sandpiper · godwit · whimbrel · oystercatcher · avocet · redshank · plover · snipe
whistle
Shrill air-blown sounder
tremolo · warble · whistling · ululation · peep · song · bubbling · fluting · mournful · plaintive
moon
Natural planetary satellite
- omenProphetic indicator
- moorlandOpen uncultivated upland
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
lonely · haunting · spirit · myth · legend · nocturnal · mystery · superstition · herald · soul
mudflats
Coastal areas exposed at low tide
- estuariesRiver-sea meeting points
- marshesWaterlogged land with grasses
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
moorland · saltmarsh · tideline · shoreline · intertidal · heathland · grassland · tundra · peatland · coastal
cryptic
Obscure in meaning
brown · concealment · blend · coloration · pattern · disruptive · underbrush · ground-nesting · protective · speckled
flyways
Aerial migration corridors
- winteringPassing the cold season
- breedingReproductive cultivation of organisms
- stopoverBrief halt mid-journey
seasonal · northward · southward · long-distance · transcontinental · navigation · instinct · autumn · spring · arctic
endangered
At risk of extinction
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- protectionGuarding against harm
- declineDecrease or refuse
threatened · breeding · restoration · sanctuary · stewardship · reserve · monitoring · nesting · predation · agriculture
- birdsrobin, crow, eagle, owl, duck
- British Wildlifered deer, badgers, grey squirrel, foxes, otter
- coastal wildlifepelican, grey seal, seagull, gull, sandpiper
- long-billed birdspelican, brown pelican, white pelican, ibis, spoonbill
- migrantsmigrants, arctic tern, monarch butterfly, caribou, humpback whale
- migratory birdsarctic tern, Canada goose, barn swallow, snow goose, sandhill crane