curlew

[ kur-loo ]

noun

1. any of several shorebirds of the genus Numenius, having a long, slender, downcurved bill, as the common N. arquata, of Europe.
2. any of various similar birds.

curlew

/ ˈkɜːljuː /

noun

1. any large shore bird of the genus Numenius, such as N. arquata of Europe and Asia: family Scolopacidae (sandpipers, etc), order Charadriiformes. They have a long downward-curving bill and occur in northern and arctic regions Compare stone curlew

Word History and Origins

Origin of curlew¹

1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French curleu, cognate with Middle French corleu; perhaps imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of curlew¹

C14: from Old French corlieu, perhaps of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Four UK shorebirds - the grey plover, dunlin, turnstone and curlew sandpiper - are becoming more endangered on the red list.

From BBC

"A curlew," he says, and I just glimpse its long curved beak as we pass.

From BBC

With the curlew added to his collection, we move on to Graeme's "secret road", one of his most-prized locations for spotting all manner of feathered friends.

From BBC

The Eurasian curlew could be gone in Wales as a "viable breeding species" by 2033 if a 6% annual decline continues, experts warn.

From BBC

Mr Cross added that technology is helping, including a "massive advance" in GPS trackers, which are now small enough to "strap on the back of a curlew".

From BBC