Long-billed Curlew

(Numenius americanus)

Wow. Look at that bill. Nearly nine inches long!

The Long-billed Curlew is North America’s largest shorebird. While both the male and female will incubate the eggs and raise the newly hatched chicks, the female will typically abandon the family three weeks after hatching! She leaves the remainder of the child-rearing to her mate! (source: Cornell)

Photo taken in Montaña de Oro State Park, California, USA.