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Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Long-billed curlews of Madison County

Shore  birds and wading birds have always been a challenge for me to identify.  They all look the same except for their bills and sometimes I forget which way they should turn. 

The Long-billed curlew is one I have always been able to identify as the bill, flight and sounds were common to me when growing up.  Here three migrating curlews are displaying during breeding season.


They show up in Madison County in April as they search the muddy fields and marshes for worms; their probbing bills searching the soft ground. 


By the first of June, those that have raise young here are teaching them to fly, eat and protect themselves.


A rather large bird, but usually a shy and ellusive one.

18 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

beautiful! look at those lovely feather striations!

theconstantwalker said...

Curlews are beautiful birds to see.
Your flight capture is stunning...
Thanks for sharing.

Stewart M said...

Hi there - I always think that curlews sound even better than they look - and they dont look to bad at all!

Very nice pictures.

Stewart M - Australia

Modesto Viegas said...

Good capture!

Unknown said...

Great photos of an interesting bird!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Springman said...

What a bird. Just gorgeous! The blow up of picture two is eye candy to the max!

BirdingMaine said...

Fantastic captures of the Curlew, Bill!

Crafty Green Poet said...

we have curlews here too but their bills aren't so long!

mick said...

Great photos of the Curlews - especially the in-flight one.

holdingmoments said...

I love that flight shot Bill.

Anonymous said...

Lovely shot of the Curlew in flight!

Mike B. @ slugyard.com said...

Goodness, how do they stay out of their own beak's way???

Larry said...

Excellent shots of the Long-billed Curlews Bill! The in flight photo is breathtaking!

Jeanne Frances Klaver said...

Great shot! That bill is amazing. I'm glad you captured the Curlew in flight so we could see the wing patterns!

troutbirder said...

Great shots of a interesting shorebird all right. I hope to see on someday.

Dave Lord said...

An awesome bird. Hope to see some British Curlews on the moors on my trip across the pond next Fall.

Unknown said...

The flying bird shot is amazing!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful captures!