SPECIES

Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis Scientific name definitions

Jeffrey S. Marks, T. Lee Tibbitts, Robert E. Gill, and Brian J. McCaffery
Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020
Text last updated January 1, 2002

Acknowledgments

Introduction

This account is largely the result of field work conducted by the authors on the breeding and wintering grounds between 1977 and 2001, including 5 major efforts directed specifically at breeding biology in the Nulato Hills (1985-1994; BJM, REG), autumn staging ecology on the Yukon Delta (1985-1989; REG, TLT), breeding biology at central Seward Peninsula sites (1988-1993; REG, TLT), nonbreeding ecology in the Northwestern Hawaiian Is. (1988-1992; JSM, R. Redmond), and range-wide breeding population assessments (1988-1989 and 1999-2000; C. Handel, BJM, REG, TLT). For field assistance with these efforts we thank: M. Amaral, G. Balogh, D. Brann, L. Brant, S. Brown, E. Buelna, M. Burcham, R. Clapp, B. Colter, P. Connors, C. Dau, E. Dhruv, H. Douglas III, T. Doyle, R. Ernst, D. Evans, S. Finch, A. Fukuyama, K. Gill, C. Handel, C. Harwood, P. Hendricks, K. Hollinger, D. Holway, D. Jerry, D. Johnston, S. Kalxdorff, D. Kaplan, S. Kendall, A. Kepler, K. Kincheloe, R. Lanctot, S. Leasure, J. Leeming, J. Maron, J. Mason, R. Mayfield, E. Mayock, C. McCaffery, G. McClellan, R. Meehan, G. Miller, J. Morgart, M. Muckerheide, J. Paniyak, A. Pearce, J. Pearce, G. Peltola, A. Perkins, T. Pogson, M. Putoa, T. Ratledge, R. Redmond, E. Rhode, H. Sanford, Jr., L. Saperstein, J. Schlapfer, N. Senner, L. Slater, R. Steffl, M. Stishov, K. Sullivan, W. Testa, S. Vacca, D. Ward, N. Warnock, S. Warnock, A. Woodin, J. Wright, P. Zahler, and C. Ziobron. A number of people graciously shared unpublished information, including S. Bailey, B. Becker, V. Brauer, P. Bruner, U. Bukaireiti, B. Casler, R. Clapp, P. Donaldson, C. Ely, D. Gibson, J. Gilardi, W. Johnson, D. Johnston, K. Larsen, R. MacIntosh, G. McCormack, D. O'Daniel, G. Peltola, T. Pogson, P. Pyle, R. Pyle, P. Raust, R. Redmond, G. Rosenberg, G. Sanford, H. Springer, and T. Tobish. An important source of unpublished information is housed at the Univ. of Alaska Museum, where B. Kessel and D. Gibson have compiled >30 years of observations, including their own, those of many contributors, and those in the published literature. We thank them for access to and use of this information. The following individuals and institutions provided access to collections or helped clarify information about particular specimens: P. Sweet, C. Blake, C. Vogel, and A. Andors, American Museum of Natural History (AMNH); M. Robbins, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia; L. Kishinami, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu (BPBM); D. Long, A. Jesse, and S. Bailey, California Academy of Sciences (CAS); B. Alther and J. Carter, Denver Museum of Nature and Science; D. Willard and S. Lanyon, Field Museum of Natural History (FMNH); F. Roux, Museum National d'historie Naturelle (MNHN); C. Cicero, B. Stein, and D. Bell, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley (MVZ); Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology; D. Gibson and K. Winker, Univ. of Alaska Museum (UAM); and R. Banks, R. Clapp, and J. Dean, U.S. National Museum (USNM). C. Handel analyzed population data and helped assess differences between sexes in mensural characteristics, J. Schmutz conducted the survival analysis for Neva Creek, J. Pearce and S. Talbot used genetic techniques to determine sex of individual curlews, D. Brann and K. Gill helped identify contents of stomachs and fecal samples, and C. Tobalske and L. Pajot translated papers. T. Miller generously shared his time, expertise, and hospitality while we prepared sonograms. We also thank the following pilots: C. Andersen, K. Barnes, M. Hinkes, P. Liedberg, R. Philippsborn, T. Ratledge, M. Rearden, and G. Walters. Principal financial support for various field efforts was provided by the U.S. Geological Survey's Alaska Science Center (TLT, REG) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Yukon Delta (BJM) and Hawaiian Is. (JSM) NWRs, the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit (JSM), and the Office of Migratory Bird Management (REG). Other funding sources included the University of Montana, National Geographic Society, World Wildlife Fund, and Hawaii Audubon Society (all JSM). Logistical support was provide by the Bering Land Bridge National Park, Yukon Delta NWR, Hawaiian Is. NWR, U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Coast Guard, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Six people deserve special recognition: C. Handel for study design and statistical analyses of most aspects of the breeding and postbreeding population assessment studies; R. Redmond for focusing attention on the importance of the wintering grounds and for helping design and facilitate studies on Laysan Island and Rangiroa Atoll; D. Smith for securing funding for initial studies at Neva Creek, outer Yukon Delta, and Northwestern Hawaiian Is.; R. Garrett for facilitating the initial breeding biology studies in the Andreafsky Wilderness of the Yukon Delta NWR; H. Springer for sharing his knowledge of curlews on the Seward Peninsula and for suggesting the Neva Creek area as a study site; and K. McDermond for helping see the Laysan Island study through to completion. Others instrumental in facilitating our work include M. Amaral, J. Ball, G. Balogh, D. Derksen, P. Dixon, S. Fefer, E. Flint, L. Honigman, T. LaRoe, C. Lensink, R. Perry, M. Rearden, and L. Underhill. C. Handel, R. Lanctot, M. Morin, and R. Redmond made valuable comments on drafts of the manuscript.

Recommended Citation

Marks, J. S., T. L. Tibbitts, R. E. Gill, and B. J. McCaffery (2020). Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.brtcur.01