Deep Forest Canopy
Species Radar
Sandpipers and Allies

Eskimo Curlew

Numenius borealis

The Eskimo curlew, also known as northern curlew, is a species of curlew in the family Scolopacidae. It was one of the most numerous shorebirds in the tundra of western Arctic Canada and Alaska. Thousands of birds were then killed per year in the late 1800s. As there has not been a reliable sighting since 1987 or a confirmed sighting since 1963, the Eskimo curlew is considered Critically Endangered or possibly extinct. The bird is about 30 cm (12 in) long and feeds mostly on insects and berries.

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Low-Light Telephoto Systems

Identifying specific features of the Eskimo Curlew requires high-contrast magnification. Check out the top-rated 8x42 optics.

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📘 ID Reference Card

Shorebird ID Pocket Reference

Compact pocket-card format — print & fold. Covers plumage, field marks, and song mnemonics.

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