Native American myths suggested the bill of the curlew was stretched by a man-god creature during an argument. Certainly, the curlew is known for its unique facial feature, which may be most useful on the wintering grounds where they forage for invertebrates in the mud of wetlands along Mexico’s coast. In the Sandhills, ranchers know curlews for dive-bombing anything that comes near their nest site, and their aggression is usually effective with interlopers. Curlews arrive early to the plains in the spring and leave for their wintering grounds in June or early July while other species are only halfway through their breeding season. The curlew is North America’s largest shorebird—large enough for a meal. Commercial hunters often sought them to ship to restaurants as a delicacy before protection from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the early 1900s.
by Larkin Powell
October 23, 2024