An Extinct Slender-Billed Curlew Discovered

A rare early 20^th century specimen of the now extinct slender-billed curlew (Numenius tenuirostris) was discovered by Tennants’ Natural History specialist Robbie Bright, tucked in a box amongst a group of common whimbrels and curlews that were due to be sold as a group without reserve. The curlew is to be sold in the Natural History and Taxidermy Sale on 16^th April with an estimate of £300-500 (plus buyer’s premium).

Natural History Specialist Robbie Bright said of the discovery: “Specimen of extinct species are always much sought after at auction, as highlighted by the world record achieved by Tennants in 2023 for a pair of extinct New Zealand Huia (sold for £220,000). This slender-billed curlew is a very nice example, with old record labels to the base from a Belgian museum, confirming the species.”

The slender-billed curlew was declared officially extinct in 2024, with the last confirmed sighting being in Morocco in 1995. Native to Eurasia and North Africa, the slender-billed curlew was the same size as a whimbrel, but with plumage similar to the larger Eurasian curlew. Breeding on the Kazakh Steppes and wintering around the North African shores of the Mediterranean, the slender-billed curlew was a victim of hunting and habitat loss following a steady decline throughout the 20^th century.  

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