The Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis) is a rare migratory shorebird that winters across Pacific islands, including Tuvalu. Distinguished by its long, downcurved bill and bristly feathers at the base of its thighs, it breeds in Alaska and undertakes one of the longest nonstop migrations of any bird, covering thousands of kilometers to reach Polynesia and Micronesia. In Tuvalu, it inhabits coastal flats, reefs, and atolls, where it forages for insects, crabs, and other small prey. Historically significant in Pacific culture, the bird is vulnerable due to its limited breeding range and threats on migratory stopovers, making Tuvalu a vital refuge.
