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.

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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

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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

The Eurasian curlew is an iconic resident of the Shropshire Hills and the Welsh Marches, but declining numbers have seen the species added to the UK's Red List of highest conservation concern.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

A video of the curlew was posted on social media by the Sliabh Beagh Curlew Conservation Trust on Saturday.

From BBC ● May 31, 2026

The curlew was once a common sight across Northern Ireland, but numbers had fallen by more than 80% since the 1980s.

From BBC ● May 1, 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