What is a Whimbrel?

The whimbrel, or Numenius phaeopus, is a large wader that belongs to the curlew species of birds. Full-grown whimbrels are 15-18 inches (37-45 cm) in length, weigh about 10.9-17.4 ounces (310-493 g) and have a wingspan of 30-36 inches (76-90 cm). In appearance, the whimbrel is gray-brown to brown, with long legs and prominent dark stripes on its head. Its most striking physical feature is its long bill, which is about 2.0-3.5 inches (5-9 cm) in length and curves downward. Although adult females have the longest bills, both sexes use them to prod deeply into the ground when looking for food.

Geographically, the whimbrel is one of the most widely distributed shorebirds in the world. There are four distinct subspecies of whimbrels, and each inhabits its own separate geographic region. One breeds in North America, with the three remaining subspecies breeding either in southern Russia, in eastern Siberia or in an arc from northwest Siberia to Iceland. The whimbrel species will nest in these arctic and subarctic areas and then, in winter, migrate to the coasts of Africa, to southern Asia as far south as Australia and to the coasts of South America or southern North America.

When it migrates, the whimbrel moves mainly along routes that go over coasts and oceans. Whimbrels migrate at night in large flocks, with the timing of the migration based upon sex and age. Females migrate first, then males and finally the juveniles. During this migration, some members of the whimbrel species might fly as far as 2,500 miles (4,000 km) nonstop.

The habitat that whimbrels prefer depends on whether they are nesting, migrating or wintering. When they nest, whimbrels like both wet and dry areas such as bogs, heath or tundra. While migrating, they prefer wet areas such as tidal flats or marshes. For wintering, whimbrels like tidal flats but also will stay in shallow marshes and short grasslands.

Their diet also depends on where they are in the migration cycle. When nesting, they eat the insects and berries that they find in the subarctic and arctic areas. When they stop along coastlines during migration, they use their long bills to probe in the sand or mud for worms, crabs or crustaceans.

Breeding season lasts from late spring through mid-summer. Nests are scraped out of either the ground or moss and are lined with leaves. The female lays three to five eggs that hatch in 24-28 days. Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the chicks.

A Whimbrel is a medium-sized shorebird belonging to the sandpiper family. It is known for its long, curved bill and brown, camouflaged plumage. Whimbrels are migratory birds, breeding in the Arctic tundra and migrating to coastal regions across the world. They are commonly found along shores in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia during their non-breeding season.

Identifying a Whimbrel involves looking for its distinctive long, down-curved bill, which it uses to probe for invertebrates. Its brownish plumage with streaks and spots provides excellent camouflage in its natural habitat. Additionally, Whimbrels have a striped head pattern and in flight, they display a white rump and lower back, which are key identification features.

The Whimbrel's diet primarily consists of invertebrates such as crabs, mollusks, and marine worms. During their breeding season in the Arctic, they also consume insects and berries. Their long, curved bills are perfectly adapted for probing into mud and sand to extract prey, a feeding behavior that is fascinating to observe.

The Whimbrel is not currently classified as endangered. However, it is considered near-threatened due to habitat loss and environmental changes. Conservation efforts are important to monitor and protect their breeding and migratory stopover sites to ensure the species' survival, as indicated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Whimbrels are remarkable long-distance migrants, capable of flying thousands of miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. They utilize strong, steady wingbeats and often travel in flocks. Their migration includes stopovers for rest and refueling. Research has shown that some Whimbrels can fly non-stop for up to 4,000 kilometers, demonstrating their incredible endurance.

Whimbrels play a significant role in their ecosystem as both predator and prey. By feeding on invertebrates, they help control populations of these organisms. Their foraging activities also aerate the soil, which benefits plant growth. As prey, they provide food for higher predators, thus contributing to the biodiversity and balance of the ecosystems they inhabit.