Long-billed curlew in the grass

The longest bill of any North American shorebird, curved down in a gentle arc that’s built for probing deep into soil and mud for invertebrates other birds can’t reach. Antelope Island’s open grasslands are prime curlew breeding habitat, and this one had company nearby — curlews often forage and nest in loose, scattered groups.

Why it matters

Long-billed curlews nest on the ground in short grassland, a habitat type that’s been heavily lost to agriculture across the West, making protected grasslands like Antelope Island’s increasingly important for the species’ breeding success.

Getting the shot

Stayed low and let the curlew’s own profile against the dry grass do the composing — the bill’s shape reads best in a clean side view. The second bird blurred in the background added a sense of the flock without competing for attention.