Bristle-thighed Curlew

Scientific Name: Urodynamis taitensis (Sparrman, 1787)
Polynesian name: Kivi, teu’e, teue, kiwi (Society), kivi (Tuamotu, Mangareva), kivivi (Mangareva), kioi (Nuku Hiva), keuhe (Hiva Oa, Ua Huka)
Order em>Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae
Category: Migratory Birds
Location:Alaska (breeding), South Pacific (migration)

Apearance and identification

17 inches. Male and female identical in appearance. This is a big wader with mottled beige brown on the wings, back and tail. The cap is brown with a tan line split. The eye is struck by a dark band. The legs are long and blue. It is easily recognizable by its long pink and black beak curved downward.

Tahiti Monarch

Common White Tern

Rimatara Lorikeet

Red-footed Booby

Pacific Reef-egret

Ultramarine Lorikeet

Blue Lorikeet

Sanderling

Common Waxbill

Pacific Black Duck

Bristle-thighed Curlew

Long-tailed Koel

Wandering Tattler

Great Horned Owl

Swamp Harrier

Red-vented Bulbul

Pacific Golden Plover

Spotless Crake

Tahiti Swallow

Green-backed Heron

Common Myna

Fatu Hiva Monarch

Tahiti Kingfisher

Chattering Kingfisher

Marquesas Kingfisher

Tuamotu Kingfisher

Polynesian Ground-dove

Marquesas Ground-dove

Tuamotu Sandpiper

Nukuhiva Imperial-pigeon

Rock Dove

Crimson-backed Tanager

Silvereye

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin

Red Junglefowl

Red-browed Finch

Zebra Dove

Polynesian Imperial-pigeon

Marquesas Monarch

Lesser Frigatebird

Masked Booby

Brown Booby

Marquesan Swiftlet

Polynesian Swiftlet

Tuamotu Reed-warbler

Marquesan Reed-warbler

Rimatara Reed-warbler

Tahiti Reed-warbler

White-capped Fruit-dove

Atoll Fruit-dove

Makatea Fruit-dove

Grey-green Fruit-dove

Rapa Fruit-dove

Iphis Monarch

White-tailed Tropicbird

Brown Noddy

Black Noddy

Blue Noddy

White-bellied Storl-petrel

Bulwer’s Petrel

Black-winged Petrel

Herald Petrel

Kermadec Petrel

Wedge-tailed Sheawater

Tropical Sheawater

Rapa Sheawater

Christmas Sheawater

Tahiti Petrel

Murphy’s Petrel

Colared Petrel

Phoenix Petrel

Polynesian Storm-petrel

Great Frigatebird

Black-headed Weaver

Moorea Kingfisher

Sooty Tern

Greater Crested Tern

Grey-backed Tern

Red-tailed Tropicbird

Videos

Voice

Breeds in July / August in the tundra of northern Alaska and from winter in the Pacific Islands. From September to June, it can be observed everywhere in French Polynesia where it has a clear preference for the islands and islets devoid of predators (Men, dogs, pigs, cats). It is less common in the Austral.

Alaska only. A single clutch of four eggs, would be attempted.

It’s a wader species. It seeks for food on reefs, beaches, mudflats and occasionally in the short grass.

Whistles loudly « pi-ou » ou « weou-wouit » while in flying.

Using his long curved beak to dig in the mud and crevices. Captures molluscs, worms and crabs but also consumes various plants.

Location: Breeds in July / August in the tundra of northern Alaska and from winter in the Pacific Islands. From September to June, it can be observed everywhere in French Polynesia where it has a clear preference for the islands and islets devoid of predators (Men, dogs, pigs, cats). It is less common in the Austral.
Breeding: Alaska only. A single clutch of four eggs, would be attempted.
Habitat: It’s a wader species. It seeks for food on reefs, beaches, mudflats and occasionally in the short grass.
Voice: Whistles loudly « pi-ou » ou « weou-wouit » while in flying.
Alimentation: Using his long curved beak to dig in the mud and crevices. Captures molluscs, worms and crabs but also consumes various plants.

Ressources

Bibliography

Status and protection

The species is listed in category A of the list of species protected by the territorial regulations of French Polynesia.
It is classified as “Vulnerable” (VU) on the IUCN Red List.

Original text by Caroline BLANVILLAIN – Supplements and update by various members of the SOP Manu.