The breeding habitat consists of prairies and grassy meadows usually near water and the range is from south western Canada to northern California and northern Texas. It also breeds along the Gulf Coast of Texas.

The bird winters in the lakes rivers and beaches of Southern California, Southern Texas and along the Atlantic coast from South Carolina to Florida. The birds winter as far south as Honduras and Costa Rica.

Courtship displays include aerial displays as well as nest scraping displays. Four olive-buff eggs spotted with brown are laid in a grass lined nest on the ground. The eggs are incubated for a period of about one month. They are incubated first by the male but then by the male at night and the female during the day.   The young leave the nest almost immediately and are able to fly 30 to 45 days later and are cared for by both parents during this time.

As the breeding habitat has decreased this Curlew has become quite rare.  Also the perils of breeding on the prairie are many.   The eggs are preyed upon by badgers, coyotes and weasels as well as snakes and ravens.   The adult males will cooperatively mob some of these predators should the nest be threatened.  As prairies become pasturelands there is also the danger that the nests will be trampled by cows and sheep.  After hatching the young cannot fly for 5 weeks and are easy targets for hawks and other birds of prey. 

In their breeding habitat they consume insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles. At their winter habitat on shores and beaches they eat crustaceans and mollusks as well as berries and seeds.  With its long bill it can seek out prey buried as much as 6 inches deep in the sand.

Length: 23 inches