Geography/Habitat:
The Whimbrel, (Numenius phaeopus), was first described in Iceland and Scotland by Linnaeus in 1758. Four distinct subspecies are currently recognized with the hudsonicus subspecies being native to the Americas, first described by Latham in 1790.
Whimbrels are found on most of the world’s continents, in all the Americas, Northern Europe and Africa, and through most of SE Asia and Australia/New Zealand. In North America they breed in Alaska and Northern Canada wintering along the US coastline throughout the Southern US and down through central and South America as far South as Chile.
Preferred habitats tundra, marches, prairies coastlines and mudflats and estuaries but note as a long-distance migrant they are occasionally found in most open habitats.
Breeding season is May to July with the nest being a simple depression in the ground lined with grasses and lichen, usually in tundra regions. Whimbrels are solitary nesters and pair for multiple seasons, or even life. 2-4 buff-olive legs are laid and incubated by both parents for around 28 days with the young fledging around 35 days later.
Food supply is predominantly invertebrates including larva, slugs, worms and spiders. Occasionally will eat larger prey which will be shredded before eating. In coastal areas, crabs, fish and rarely small birds. Note Whimbrels pick rather than probe for food.
Identification
Whimbrels are a large wading bird with relatively short legs and a straight bill with a strong downward curve at the end. They are buffy speckled brown birds overall but note the strong crown strips which are distinctive. They are strong fliers with noticeably pointed wings. Note they show notable plumage variations between the subspecies but in the US they are usually warmer brown than those elsewhere.
The calls and song are whistled trills and notes but in flight they have a distinctive “quiquiquiqui” call.
Interesting Facts
· Whimbrels are the most widespread of the Curlew family
· Whimbrels defend both nesting and feeding territories aggressively and have been known to attack the largest of interlopers.
· Whimbrels are a long range migrant flying up to 3000 miles
· A group of Whimbrels is known as a fling, a bind, a hill or a time-step.
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