curlew

American  

[kur-loo] / ˈkɜr lu /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of curlew

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

curlew

The curlew is also listed in Shropshire's Local Nature Recovery Strategy as a species that needs particular help.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Saved by firefighters during the blaze in Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, the four curlew eggs have now hatched.

From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026

It also asked that the public continue to report any curlew sightings to them.

From BBC ● May 31, 2026

Beagan said this nesting bird was particularly exciting as it is the "first record we have had of headstarting curlew being back on breeding grounds and potentially breeding".

From BBC ● May 31, 2026

We sat quietly, the only sounds the occasional cry of the curlew and Lottie’s contented nursing.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson