Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis)
Specimen collection provided by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
Listed as Endangered: 1966
Range: The Eskimo Curlew migrated between the Arctic tundra of Canada, where it bred, and the grasslands of South America, particularly Argentina, for the winter. During migration, large flocks stopped in the Great Plains to feed on berries and insects.
Habitat: This species relied on open tundra for nesting and grassy plains, coastal marshes, and meadows along its migratory route. These habitats provided essential food sources for their long journeys.
Human Impact: Unregulated market hunting in the late 1800s and early 1900s decimated the Eskimo Curlew population. Hunters targeted them during migration, often killing thousands in a single season for commercial sale. Additionally, the conversion of prairies to farmland and the destruction of grassland ecosystems further reduced their numbers.
Significant Events: The last verified sightings of the Eskimo Curlew occurred in 1962 and 1963. Despite extensive searches, no confirmed sightings have been documented since, and the species is widely considered extinct. Its decline serves as a cautionary example of the devastating impact of overhunting and habitat destruction on migratory birds.