CURLEW SANDPIPER Meaning and
Definition
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Curlew sandpiper, also known by its scientific name Calidris ferruginea, is a migratory wading bird species that belongs to the sandpiper family. It is characterized by its medium-sized body with a slender, long, and curved bill, which distinguishes it from other sandpipers. The curlew sandpiper measures around 19-22 cm in length and has a wingspan of approximately 41 cm.
In terms of physical appearance, during the breeding season, the male curlew sandpiper showcases a beautiful chestnut-red coloration on its head, neck, breast, and upperparts. On the other hand, the female and juvenile curlew sandpipers display a more subdued plumage with grayish, brownish, and mixed white colors.
These remarkable birds breed in the Arctic tundra, primarily in northeastern Siberia, and migrate annually to spend their non-breeding season in marine mudflats, sandy beaches, and coastal wetlands across Africa, Asia, and Australasia. Curlew sandpipers undertake extensive migration journeys, making long-distance flights of thousands of kilometers.
Feeding predominantly on invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and small worms, curlew sandpipers probe their bills into the mud or sand to extract their food. These birds are highly adapted to their feeding habitat and can adjust their diet according to the food sources available in different seasons and locations.
The curlew sandpiper is listed as a species of "Least Concern" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, yet it faces certain threats such as habitat loss caused by coastal development, pollution, and climate change, all of which pose potential risks to its population and breeding habitats.
Common Misspellings for CURLEW SANDPIPER
- xurlew sandpiper
- vurlew sandpiper
- furlew sandpiper
- durlew sandpiper
- cyrlew sandpiper
- chrlew sandpiper
- cjrlew sandpiper
- cirlew sandpiper
- c8rlew sandpiper
- c7rlew sandpiper
- cuelew sandpiper
- cudlew sandpiper
- cuflew sandpiper
- cutlew sandpiper
- cu5lew sandpiper
- cu4lew sandpiper
- curkew sandpiper
- curpew sandpiper
- curoew sandpiper
Etymology of CURLEW SANDPIPER
The etymology of the word "curlew sandpiper" can be broken down as follows:
1. Curlew: The word "curlew" originated from the Middle English "curlewe", which can be traced back to the Old Norse words "korlu" or "kurr". These Norse terms were likely imitative of the bird's call. The "Curlew" referred to in "curlew sandpiper" is a species of bird known for its long, curved bill.
2. Sandpiper: The word "sandpiper" originated from the Old English "sandpyper", combining "sand" (referring to the coastal habitat) and "piper" (meaning bird). "Piper" comes from the Latin word "pipio" meaning "chirping", which was later borrowed into Old English.
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