Kingsville: Long-Billed Curlew

Birding is one of the bright spots of Kingsville and Kleberg County.  We are located in a excellent bird migratory flyway.  Kingsville has many year round avian residents.  Bird tourism is a source of delight for many and a source of income for our community.

One of the interesting birds that visit our area of South Texas is the Long-Billed Curlew, Numenius americanus.  Technically this is a shore bird found near bodies of water.  It is also found inland in town lots and country fields.  The Long-Billed Curlew seems to have a culinary desire for bugs as well as sand crabs.  During the winter months this bird comes south and spends time in the Kingsville area.  It is kin to the sandpiper, often pictured near water. 

The Long-Billed Curlew has medium length legs but a very long curved bill.  It can easily catch a sand crab with its long bill or grab a juicy grass hopper in a field.  The bill can be from four to over eight inches long.

In the late 1800s, the Long-Billed Curlew was severely hunted and its population reduced to the danger point.  Conversion of their natural grassland habitat into farm land also hurt the population.  Careful conservation and hunting limitations allowed this wonderful bird to bound back in some places.  They can be seen snacking on bugs within the Kingsville city limits.  Look around at some of the vacant lots during the winter months.  At times dozens of them have been seen munching near Young’s Pizza in an empty lot. 

The Long-Billed Curlew has a great camouflage, cinnamon color, with darker streaks.  They can be close by yet unobserved.  You can learn more by attending the Kingsville Birding and Wildlife Club which meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month, 7:00p.m. at the Presbyterian Fellowship Hall.