In April 2004, the Pacific island nation of Kiribati released a special stamp series in collaboration with BirdLife International focusing on local shorebirds. Among these was a prominent stamps featuring the Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis) designed by Sue Wickison.
The bird depicted is a remarkable, medium-sized migratory shorebird celebrated for several unique characteristics:
The "Bristles": It derives its common name from the unique, stiff, hair-like feather shafts located at the base of its legs and lower belly. While diagnostic, these bristles are quite small and usually require a very close look or binoculars to spot in the wild.
Long-Distance Migrant: The curlew breeds in the Alaskan tundra and flies a staggering, non-stop journey of over 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) across open ocean to winter on tropical Pacific islands like Kiribati.
Flightless Molting: It is famously the only migratory shorebird known to shed its flight feathers all at once during its wintering period, rendering it temporarily flightless and vulnerable to ground predators.
Tool User: To crack open large eggs (such as those of albatrosses), it will occasionally pick up rocks or pieces of coral in its beak and slam them against the shell—making it one of the rare birds known to use tools.
On the stamp itself, the bird is illustrated alongside its natural tropical wetland or coastal habitat, highlighting its long, down-curved bill, mottled brown plumage, and distinct head stripes.
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