What does a Whimbrel look like?

What does a Whimbrel look like?

A robust, large shorebird with a very long, curved bill and relatively long neck and legs. The wings are long and pointed; the tail is short.

How far do Whimbrels migrate?

2,500 miles
Some migrating Whimbrels make a nonstop overwater flight of 4,000 km (2,500 miles) from southern Canada or New England to South America. In many regions, the primary winter food of the Whimbrel is fiddler crab.

Which type of bird is a Whimbrel?

The most widespread of the curlews, nesting in the Arctic across North America and Eurasia, wintering on the coasts of six continents.

Are Whimbrel endangered?

Least Concern (Population decreasing)Eurasian whimbrel / Conservation status

Where does the whimbrel breed?

In the UK, this species only breeds in north Scotland. It is a passage migrant to other areas in spring and autumn on its way from and to its wintering areas in Africa.

How tall is a whimbrel?

Description. The whimbrel is a large shorebird that is about 14 inches in length. It has a long, down-curved dark brown bill and long gray legs.

Are Whimbrels migratory?

From July through late September, Whimbrel migrate southward from their Arctic and sub-Arctic breeding grounds and some spend up to a month with us along our coast. While in Massachusetts, Whimbrel spend almost all of their time in the saltmarshes feeding on fiddler crabs—an important staple in their diet.

Do Whimbrels fly in flocks?

In winter, most leave their breeding areas to gather in flocks on and near all coasts, where their numbers are boosted by continental immigrants. In the British Isles, the whimbrel breeds only in northern Scotland. Otherwise, it is a regular spring and autumn passage migrant, occurring in varying numbers.

Is a whimbrel a sandpiper?

There are three large Sandpipers who winter along the Texas Gulf Coast that resemble each other. I am speaking of Curlews, Godwits and Whimbrels. After a bit of practice you can tell them apart, but they can be confusing especially if you just get a glimpse.

What is the difference between a curlew and an whimbrel?

Whimbrel. Size: Smaller than the curlew – same size as an oystercatcher. Bill: Bill is shorter than curlew and more abruptly bent at tip. Plumage: Darker than curlew, with darker chest and some barring on flanks.

Where do Whimbrels migrate?

How do you tell the difference between a curlew and a whimbrel?

Long-billed Curlews are larger with a longer bill than Whimbrels with a plain crown, unlike Whimbrels which have a striped crown.

Is a Whimbrel a sandpiper?

Do curlews migrate?

In the spring and summer, curlews migrate to their breeding grounds in upland areas of rough pasture, heather moorland and wetlands. Curlews breed on a range of habitats, but primarily favour rough grasslands, moorlands and bogs.

What is the difference between a curlew and an Whimbrel?

Where do curlew migrate to?

Why do curlews migrate?

The Far Eastern Curlew is a species of migratory shorebird, with a migration that can truly be described as spectacular. Every year they travel from their non-breeding grounds in the southern hemisphere to breed in boreal marshlands of the northern hemisphere.

Where do curlews migrate from?

Do curlew birds migrate?

Results. Curlews migrated almost exclusively to Arctic and sub-Arctic Russia for breeding. They left their wintering site mainly during the evening from mid- to late April and returned between the end of June and mid-July. There was no difference in departure times between the sexes.