The Long-billed curlew is the largest North American shorebird. Its most striking morphological characteristic, the long decurved bill, is an adaptation for foraging on earthworms or burrow-dwelling organisms like shrimp and crab.

Body plumage is a rich buff with a tinge of cinnamon or pink. Sexes have similar plumage, but females are larger with a longer bill. It can be distinguished from other curlews in flight by its bright cinnamon underwings. When observed on the ground, the Long-billed curlew's head lacks the strongly streaked pattern of other cerlews or Whimbrel.

It is a locally common breeder in open grassland areas east of the Cascades. It is most abundant in the Columbia River basin followed by the Harney/Malheur Lake area.

The Long-billed curlew is an Oregon Conservation Strategy Species in these ecoregions: Blue Mountains, Columbia Plateau, East Cascades, and Northern Basin and Range.

Hear the call of the Long-billed curlew

Photo by Dave Budeau, ODFW