Curlews - Family Overview

Curlews are large wading birds belonging to the family Scolopacidae. They are characterised by long legs, broad wings, and a long, down-curved bill adapted for probing soft substrates.

Members of this group inhabit coastal mudflats, estuaries, wetlands, riverbanks, and open grasslands. They feed mainly on invertebrates obtained from mud, sand, and shallow water, using their specialised bills to locate prey below the surface.

In the Indian subcontinent, curlews occur mainly as winter visitors, frequenting coastal and inland wetlands. They are typically observed singly or in small groups and are often conspicuous due to their size and distinctive calls.

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Licensing

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