Eskimo Curlew (Numenius Borealis)- Shorebird

Eskimo curlew is a small , mostly brown shore bird. It is a medium sized shorebird with a slender, slightly  down curved  bill. It is approximately 30 cm tall, has short bluish gray legs and a rich cinnamon color on its belly and wing linnings. It belongs to the family Scolopacidae. Eskimo curlews migrate from breeding grounds in the Arctic  tundra through  the north American prairies to wintering grounds on the pakpas grasslands of Argentina. Eskimo curlew’s habitat includes grasslands, plowed fields, pastures  and mudflats.  Eskimo Curlew is close to being extinct.

The Eskimo curlew eats both plants and animals. The Eskimo curlew’s diet consist of freshwater insects and  the fruit of Black Crowberry.  It also eats ants, worms and other invertebrates found on shores. In the coastal areas they feed on snails and along the Atlantic coast they eat beetles, spider, moth, seeds and other  berries. The Eskimo curlew is endangered because of unrestricted overhunting for the market, especially during its northward spring migrations. This bird also has a tame nature and is extremely friend, making it easy prey for hunters. Eskimo curlew’s nest are just a hole in the ground. They are lined with decaying leaves and a thin sprinkling o hay. The eggs  have a color similar to that of surroundings grass, being dark brownish green to blue blotched with brown.