Bristle-thighed Curlew Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The Bristle-thighed Curlew was one of the last North American birds to have its nest and eggs described to science. It wasn’t until 1948, when Cornell Lab founder Arthur Allen organized a National Geographic Society expedition to western Alaska, that this curlew’s breeding grounds, nest, and eggs were formally described.

Bristle-thighed Curlew is the only shorebird that's known to use tools. On their Pacific island nonbreeding grounds, these curlews throw small pieces of coral at abandoned albatross eggs to create a hole. The birds insert their bill into the hole to make it larger and then feed on the egg contents.

Bristle-thighed Curlews fly nonstop for at least 4,000 km (2,500 miles) from Alaska to nonbreeding areas in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Some individuals continue an additional 2,000 km (1,250 miles) without stopping to reach islands in the South Pacific. To fuel these marathon flights, Bristle-thighed Curlews put on weight throughout the nonbreeding season, resulting in some of the highest fat loads ever recorded in shorebirds.

The name “Bristle-thighed” refers to feathers on the thigh that have narrow, extra-long shafts whose tips extend up to 5 cm (2 inches) beyond the webs of the feathers. Their function remains a mystery.

Basic Description

Other Names