Far Eastern Curlew

Globally endangered migrant and non-breeding visitor.

Very large, brown shorebird with very long, decurved bill. Ad Nb: (Aug -Jan) Similar to Eurasian Curlew but darker and warmer buff. Wing coverts have pale notched edges (unlike Eurasian), which together with strongly marked tertials and barred flank feathers, create a more barred appearance. Ad B: (Feb – Apr) Some ginger tones to scapulars; broader streaks on underparts and more barring on flanks. Birds showing very worn coverts and wing moult are likely immature birds. Juv: (Aug – Nov) Neat, uniformly aged plumage, with prominent pale buff fringes to upperparts and underparts more finely streaked than adults.

Size and bill length overlap with Eurasian Curlew and are not useful diagnostic features. Can look bulkier than Eurasian Curlew, appearing less attenuated at the rear. Main plumage differences from Eurasian Curlew are: noticeably darker overall; plainer ‘face’ lacking strong contrasts; coverts concolorous with rest of upperparts; broadly barred flank feathers; strongly barred tertials; buff vent and ‘thighs’ (colour can be difficult to ascertain in strong light). In flight, underwing, back and rump strongly barred. From Whimbrel and Little Whimbrel by much larger size and much longer bill.

Similar to Eurasian Curlew.

Scarce on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, in far smaller numbers than Eurasian. Relatively more numerous in Bornean Malaysia, notably in the Bako-Buntal Bay IBA, where internationally significant numbers (several hundred) regularly winter.

Most frequently seen mid-August to early May.