National Parks/ Sanctuaries
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Common Names
slender-billed curlew
Regions
AlbaniaAustraliaAustria
Population
Approximately 38,000 individuals
Habitat
Coastal mudflats and wetlands.
Weight(in lbs) and Life Span
3.5, and 20
Regions
Albania, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Morocco, Algeria, North Macedonia, Iran, Libya, Montenegro, Palestine
The Slender-billed Curlew was a migratory wader once found across Eurasia and North Africa. Characterized by its slim, slightly downcurved bill and pale plumage with distinctive heart-shaped spots on the flanks, it bred in the bogs and marshes of the Kazakh Steppe and wintered in Mediterranean wetlands. Despite extensive conservation efforts, the species suffered a rapid decline due to habitat loss and hunting, leading to its last confirmed sighting in 1995 at Merja Zerga, Morocco. In 2024, it was officially declared extinct, marking a significant loss in avian biodiversity.
Activity Instructions
- Draw the Animal: Use the next page to draw a picture of the animal. Use your imagination and make it colorful!
- Write an Essay: Write a short essay about the conservation efforts to save this animal. Here are some questions to guide you:
- Why is this species important in its ecosystem?
- What are the threats it faces, and how can we help?
- What do you find most interesting about this species?
