The slender-billed curlew is an extinct species of curlew formerly native to Eurasia and North Africa. Isotope analysis suggests the majority of the former population bred in the Kazakh Steppe despite a record from the Siberian swamps, and was migratory, wintering in shallow freshwater habitats around the Mediterranean. This species has occurred as a vagrant in western Europe, the Canary Islands, the Azores, Oman, Canada, and Japan.
Region
Western Palearctic
Typical Environment
Historically bred on the Kazakh steppe and possibly adjacent West Siberian bogs, using wet sedge meadows and marshy tundra-like patches. During migration it used inland marshes, flooded meadows, and shallow freshwater lakes, with occasional use of coastal lagoons and estuaries. Wintering occurred mainly around the Mediterranean Basin in low-lying wetlands. It preferred quiet, sparsely vegetated edges of freshwater bodies with soft substrates for probing.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This was the smallest curlew, with a notably slender, downcurved bill and heavily spotted underparts. It bred on boggy steppe habitats and wintered mainly around Mediterranean freshwater wetlands. The last confirmed records were in the late 20th century and it is now regarded as extinct, with identification complicated by similarity to Eurasian Curlew and Whimbrel. Habitat loss, wetland degradation, and hunting likely contributed to its disappearance.
Illustration by Henrik Grönvold
Slender-billed curlew (centre) between two Eurasian whimbrels
Illustration from c. 1830
Temperament
wary and inconspicuous
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady, rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in small loose parties outside the breeding season. Ground nester with a shallow scrape placed in open, boggy steppe. Likely formed seasonal pairs with shared parental care typical of curlews.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Display and contact calls were soft, fluting whistles, higher-pitched than Eurasian Curlew. Alarm calls were clearer, shorter notes carrying over wetlands.
