The Curlew (Numenius) is a genus of birds belonging to the order Grallatores, or Waders, and of the same family (Scolopacidae) as the snipe and woodcock. The genus is characterized by a very long, slender, and arcuated bill, tall and partly naked legs, and a short somewhat rounded tail. The bill is more or less covered with a soft sensitive skin by which the bird is enabled to detect its food in the mud.
The common curlew (Numenius arquata) is a British water bird of the family Scolopacidae, found near the sea-side, especially where the tides goes out a long way leaving a wide expanse of muddy sand, and on the banks of tidal rivers. It has a distinctive long and slender curved bill much larger than its head and a general reddish ash colouration, mottled with dusky spots and a white belly. The tail is white with dark brown transverse bars. The overall length of the bird is around 60 centimetres. Research Curlew
Grallae is the Waders order of birds. They are characterized by a long leg and tarsus, the lower portion of the leg generally devoid of feathers. The bill is long or moderate. They have three or four toes, more or less connected by a membrane at the base, sometimes lobated. The Grallae are adapted by structure for feeding in marshes, on the muddy or sandy sea-shoe, or on the banks of rivers and lakes. Some species feed on fish, and they have unusually long legs and powerful bills. The majority have great power of flight and lay their eggs on the ground. Research Grallae
Motacillidae is the wagtails family of Passerine birds. They have a slender bill, angular between the nostrils with the upper mandible notched. The wings have one of the scapulars as long as the closed wing, giving them a resemblance to the waders. The tail is long and constantly kept in a vertical motion. The legs are long and adapted for running into shallow water or mud in pursuit of insects which they feed on, being either caught on the wing or on the ground. Research Motacillidae
Abbreviations
Research Curlew
