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The Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) is the largest North American shorebird and is characterized by its long and decurved bill. Long-billed Curlews breed in temperate areas of the western prairies and Intermountain West and winter along the west coast of North America, in California’s Central and Imperial valleys, along the Gulf coast and in interior Mexico. |
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Owing to their preference for short vegetation during nesting, Long-billed Curlews often are found breeding in areas characterized by moderate to heavy grazing intensities. |
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In northeastern Nevada, Long-billed Curlews breed in large numbers within irrigated hayfields and cattle pastures. |
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Researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno have been studying the breeding ecology and population biology of Long-billed Curlews in Ruby Valley, Nevada for the past five years. A central component of this research has been examining how land management practices affect Long-billed Curlew habitat use, reproductive success and population growth. |
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An adult male Long-billed Curlew incubating a clutch of eggs. Long-billed Curlew productivity in Ruby Valley is most limited during the nesting phase as more than two-thirds of all nests fail. Predation, primarily by mammals, is by far the greatest cause of Long-billed Curlew nest failure. Ranching practices such as cattle grazing and land-raking, on the other hand, account for considerably fewer nest losses. |
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Their cryptic coloration allows incubating curlews to blend in with the environment. |
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Chicks hatch in late May to late June and leave the nest within 24 hours. They are cared for by their parents until they are able to fly at approximately 35-38 days. Long-billed Curlew chicks in Ruby Valley enjoy a relative high fledging probability with more than 50% of chicks reaching independence. |
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Long-billed Curlews often sit very tight while incubating. This allows researchers to capture them by dropping nets over them as they incubate. |
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Once captured, adults are given color bands for individual identification. By resighting marked curlews in subsequent years, researchers are able to determine adult survival rates and breeding site fidelity. Adult survival rates are quite high with more than 90% of males and more than 80% of females returning to Ruby Valley in a given year. |
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Using satellite telemetry researchers are now studying Long-billed Curlew migratory connectivity. In the spring of 2007, Long-billed Curlews breeding in Ruby Valley, Nevada and Boardman, Oregon were captured and fitted with solar-powered satellite transmitters. Tracking these birds will yield valuable information for Long-billed Curlew conservation including identifying migratory routes, important staging areas and overwintering locations. |
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Z9, a female Long-billed Curlew with satellite transmitter standing next to her unbanded mate. |
