Long-billed Curlew
(Numenius americanus)
Long-billed Curlew
The long-billed
curlew breeds
widely throughout
Montana, although
more commonly east
of the Rocky
Mountains. Long-billed curlews require short
grass, bare-ground components, shade, and
abundant invertebrate prey. Conservation
concerns include: habitat loss (e.g. sod
busting, weed invasion, general conversion
of prairie lands); fragmented, unprotected, or
mismanaged breeding habitat; and
human disturbance to grassland
habitats (including impacts of
cattle grazing, roads, pesticide
application and draining of
wetlands). Conservation strategies
include: preventing conversion of prairie
lands to other land uses; providing large
blocks of suitable habitat; and maintaining
vertical structure through appropriate
management techniques.
