Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Breeding Range (Fig. 65). During recent years (1961-1972), breeding Long-billed Curlews could be considered as uncommon and local in southwestern North Dakota, particularly in Bowman and Slope Counties, southeastern Golden Valley County, southern Billings County, and western Stark County; also recorded in southeastern Hettinger County and in central Golden Valley County. The local breeding populations are represented by widely scattered, isolated pairs or small loose groups composed of two to six segregated pairs.
During the 1800's, this species was much more widely distributed in the state and, apparently, was represented by large populations in many areas. Early records concerning the occurrence and abundance of breeding Long-billed Curlews are listed in chronological order as follows:
1833--On June 22, recorded below Goose Egg lake at the great bend of the Missouri River [apparently, between extreme northwestern McLean County and northern Dunn County], and on June 23, recorded near the mouth of White Earth River in Mountrail County (Maximilian 1843).1843--During a hunt lasting several days and ending on June 27, a great many curlews were seen in the area about Fort Union in Williams County (Audubon 1897); on July 16, recorded near the Yellowstone River in McKenzie County (McDermott 1951).
1853--During the Northern Pacific Railroad Exploration, Suckley (1859) reported that this species was common throughout Minnesota [at this time Minnesota included the eastern half of North Dakota]; during June and July, he found that curlews were very abundant for several hundred miles west of the Mississippi, and were breeding and rearing their young over the vast prairies of that region.
1873--Found breeding in moderate numbers about Pembina, in the northeastern corner of the state (Coues 1874). Occasional near Fort Rice during the third week of June, and a few pairs recorded at quite distant intervals from the Missouri River near Fort Rice, westward to the Montana line (Allen 1874).
1874--During July, curlews were numerous on the plains between the Missouri River (Fort Lincoln area) and Little Missouri River (Grinnell 1875).
1881--Nesting on prairie north of Mandan but became scarce there a few years later (as reported by J. D. Allen).
Early 1880's--Nesting on the prairie in Pembina County (H. V. Williams in personal communication to S. O. Kolstoe).
1885--Nesting commonly in northwestern Billings County in the vicinity of the Roosevelt Elkhorn Ranch (Roosevelt 1885).
Roosevelt (1885) referred to this species as the most conspicuous of the shorebirds in the vicinity of his Elkhorn Ranch in Billings County. His colorful descriptions include the following statements: "....indeed its loud, incessant clamor, its erect carriage, and the intense curiosity which possesses it, and makes it come up to circle around any strange object, all combine to make it in springtime one of the most conspicuous features of plains life. . . . . By the end of July or August they have reared their young; they then go in small flocks, and are comparatively silent, and very good eating."
The breeding range of this species gradually became more constricted during the late 1800's and early 1900's, and at the same time breeding populations were greatly reduced. Near Mandan, the latest breeding-season record was obtained on June 4, 1913 when a male was collected (H. V. Williams). In the east a late record of nesting was reported by Wood (1923) at Ardock in southeastern Walsh County. At South Napoleon Lake in Logan County, Lincoln (1925) observed a single bird on July 5, 1921.
Breeding Habitat. Habitats occupied by breeding Long-billed Curlews include short-grass prairie, grazed mixed-grass prairie, and scrub prairie (short-grass prairie with prickly pear cactus and open shrub layer composed of black sage and silver sage). Habitats of these types that are located on gravelly soils on gently rolling terrain seem to be preferred.
Nesting. Probable breeding season: Late April to early August; probable peak, early May to early July. Spring arrival dates on the nesting grounds include the following: April 17, 1805 along Missouri River valley (Lewis and Clarke expedition, Reid and Gannon 1927); April 25, 1960 in Billings County (E. A. Swenson); April 16, 1962 in Stark County (E. A. Swenson); April 25, 1967 in Bowman County (H. A. Kantrud, RES). A partially incubated set of eggs was collected on May 18 [1894] in Stark County (Noble collection). On July 1 [1874], young birds, two-thirds grown and fully feathered, were seen near Fort Lincoln in Morton County (Grinnell 1875). On August 8 [1967], a pair with four large dependent young was observed in Billings County, about 9 1/2: miles southwest of Fryburg (J. T. Lokemoen).
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| Figure 65. Breeding Range of Long-billed Curlew. |
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/bbofnd/species/2640.htm
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