Long-billed Curlew

(Numenius americanus)

 

A Long-billed Curlew lands at Crissy Marsh.

Will Elder, NPS

 

Natural History: The Long-billed Curlew mostly forages for invertebrates but may also eat toads, and eggs and nestlings of other birds as well as some berries. It breeds in the interior west.

General Distribution: In the Presidio, this species can be found in areas of tidal sand and rock and by saltwater bays.

Frequency: This species is not found at the Presidio in the summer and is uncommon during the spring, winter, and fall seasons.

Identifying Characteristics: This very large, mottled, brown sandpiper has a long, strongly downcurved beak and lacks the strongly striped crown of the Whimbrel.

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