The whimbrel is a large wading bird. It has longish legs and a long bill that curves near the tip. It is brownish above and whitish below. In flight, it shows a white 'V' shape up its back from its tail. 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 South Africa. The Shetland and Orkney breeding population has been slowly increasing.
Key ID Features
Similar to Curlew but noticeably smaller with darker breast and paler belly.
The head has two dark bands separated by a pale central line.
Dark eye stripe with pale supercilium above.
Bill is shorter than Curlew and more curved towards the tip.
Overview
Scientific name: Numenius phaeopus
Family: Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Where to see them:
You could see breeding birds on a visit to Shetland or Orkney in summer. Otherwise, passage migrants can be seen on the coast and sometimes inland in suitable habitat, when hearing its distinctive call can be the best clue to its presence.
Seen in UK:
Mid-April to August.
What they eat
On breeding grounds insects, snails and slugs; on passage, crabs, shrimps, molluscs, worms.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
