Curlews are large shorebirds and the Bristle-thighed Curlew is one of the largest shorebirds found in Alaska. There are 9 species of Curlews worldwide, all of which have been recorded in North America. Most curlews have obvious long, down-curved bills. Bristle-thighed Curlews are similar in body size to the ptarmigan, but the Bristle-thighed Curlew has long legs typical of most shorebirds.

The Bristle-thighed Curlew occurs singly and in small flocks and forages for crabs and other invertebrates. However, the Bristle-thighed Curlew stands out from other shorebirds in the fact that it will eat the eggs of other birds.

The southern Nushagak Peninsula appears to be a staging area for some of the Bristle-thighed Curlew’s migration. However, no evidence of breeding Bristle-thighed Curlews has been documented on the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. The closest breeding population is some 300 miles to the north and these birds are known to breed only in Western Alaska and nowhere else in the world.

I have seen Bristle-thighed Curlews along the coastline of Bristol Bay on numerous occasions and they are a joy to see. So keep your eyes tuned to the large shorebirds you see. You never know, the Bristle-thighed Curlew you saw this past summer may just be the same one you see this winter when you are on vacation in Hawaii. For Field Notes, I’m Rob MacDonald.