curlew

[kur-loo]

noun

1. any of several shorebirds of the genus Numenius, having a long, slender, downcurved bill, as the common N. arquata, of Europe.

2. any of various similar birds.

curlew

/ ˈkɜːljuː /

noun

1. any large shore bird of the genus Numenius, such as N. arquata of Europe and Asia: family Scolopacidae (sandpipers, etc), order Charadriiformes. They have a long downward-curving bill and occur in northern and arctic regions Compare stone curlew

Word History and Origins

Origin of curlew¹

1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French curleu, cognate with Middle French corleu; perhaps imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of curlew¹

C14: from Old French corlieu, perhaps of imitative origin

Example Sentences

The estate is home to rare wildlife, including curlew, mountain bumblebees, lapwings, red squirrels, cuckoo and merlin, as well as Atlantic salmon and critically endangered eels, but the conservationists say nature could be richer still.

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Experts believe that thousands of animals and other wildlife were killed in the flames - including curlew, grouse chicks and hares.

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It happened close to important breeding sites for threatened bird species such as curlews and black grouse.

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The number of curlew wading birds in Orkney is on the rise again after a drive to reduce the number of predatory stoats.

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One in six species - such as water voles and curlews - are currently at risk of vanishing from Wales, which has seen a 20% decrease on average in its wildlife over the last 30 years.

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