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

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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The slender-billed curlew once traveled a vast range, migrating across Central Asia and the northwestern African coast.

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Four UK shorebirds - the grey plover, dunlin, turnstone and curlew sandpiper - are becoming more endangered on the red list.

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