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.
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18 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlJuly 5, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    beautiful! look at those lovely feather striations!

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  2. theconstantwalkerJuly 6, 2011 at 1:32 AM

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

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  3. Stewart MJuly 6, 2011 at 2:21 AM

    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

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  4. Modesto ViegasJuly 6, 2011 at 4:51 AM

    Good capture!

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  5. UnknownJuly 6, 2011 at 6:00 AM

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

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  6. SpringmanJuly 6, 2011 at 6:06 AM

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

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  7. BirdingMaineJuly 6, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    Fantastic captures of the Curlew, Bill!

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  8. Crafty Green PoetJuly 6, 2011 at 8:33 AM

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

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  9. mickJuly 6, 2011 at 1:22 PM

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

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  10. holdingmomentsJuly 6, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    I love that flight shot Bill.

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  11. AnonymousJuly 7, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    Lovely shot of the Curlew in flight!

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  12. Mike B. @ slugyard.comJuly 7, 2011 at 2:41 PM

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

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  13. LarryJuly 7, 2011 at 9:38 PM

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

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  14. Jeanne Frances KlaverJuly 9, 2011 at 3:44 PM

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

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  15. troutbirderJuly 10, 2011 at 8:40 AM

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

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  16. Dave LordJuly 12, 2011 at 5:25 AM

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

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  17. UnknownJuly 12, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    The flying bird shot is amazing!

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  18. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    Wonderful captures!

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