In Our Backyard: A Coastal Shore Bird in the Grasslands?
Long-billed curlews are North America’s largest shorebird. In Canada, they breed in southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the interior of BC. Approximately 16% of the long-billed curlew’s global breeding range is in Canada. The species is designated by the federal Species at Risk Act as a species of Special Concern. In BC, the curlew is Blue-listed and considered Vulnerable.
Long-billed curlews have a loud call that rises on the ending note, sounding like a “cur-lee”. They also have another vocalization described as a song, which is where the curlew gets its name. It sounds like “curleeeeeeeuuuuuu”. Listen to their distinct calls here.