Curlew Sandpiper Bird Facts (Calidris ferruginea)

The Curlew Sandpiper is a small wader with a distinctive down-curved bill. In breeding plumage, it displays a rich chestnut-red head, neck, and underparts, with dark-spotted upperparts. Non-breeding adults are predominantly grey above and white below.

Juveniles have scaly-patterned upperparts with buff edges and a peachy wash on the breast. The species exhibits a slightly larger and longer, more curved bill than other small sandpipers.

The Curlew Sandpiper is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Curlew Sandpiper is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Curlew Sandpiper can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Curlew Sandpiper can be found in Coastal habitats.

The Curlew Sandpiper is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Curlew Sandpiper is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Curlew Sandpiper is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Curlew Sandpiper is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Curlew Sandpiper is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Curlew Sandpiper is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Curlew Sandpiper is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Curlew Sandpiper is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Curlew Sandpipers breed in the high Arctic tundra of Siberia. During non-breeding seasons, they are found along coastal areas across a vast range, including Africa, southern Asia, and Australasia.

In Australia, they are common summer visitors to coastal areas. They prefer intertidal mudflats, estuaries, and salt marshes but they can also be found inland wetlands during migration.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Curlew Sandpiper. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Russia

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Curlew Sandpiper demonstrates remarkable agility, moving quickly across mudflats and performing rapid feeding motions. Their ability to navigate diverse habitats from Arctic tundra to coastal mudflats, coupled with their swift, non-stop long-distance flights, indicates high agility.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly strong for their size, Curlew Sandpipers possess adequate strength to undertake gruelling long-distance migrations, including crossing the Himalayas at high altitudes. Their ability to probe deeply into mud also suggests moderate strength.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Curlew Sandpipers show exceptional adaptability, thriving in diverse environments from Arctic breeding grounds to tropical wintering areas. Their ability to utilise various coastal and inland wetland habitats, coupled with their successful long-distance migration strategy, demonstrates high adaptability.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Generally non-aggressive, Curlew Sandpipers often forage in mixed flocks with other waders. They don't exhibit particularly territorial behaviour outside of the breeding season. However, males do perform aerial displays during breeding, suggesting some level of competitive behaviour.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Curlew Sandpipers display remarkable endurance, capable of flying non-stop for up to 5,000 kilometres during migration. Their ability to cross vast distances, including high-altitude Himalayan passages, coupled with their longevity (up to 19 years for some individuals) indicates exceptional endurance for their size.

Curlew Sandpipers primarily feed on small invertebrates, including insects, molluscs, and crustaceans. They use their long, curved bills to probe deep into mud and sand, often feeding in shallow water. During the breeding season, they may also consume plant material.

Curlew Sandpipers are often seen probing the mud with their long, curved bills in a sewing machine-like motion. They typically forage in small flocks, moving quickly across mudflats. They may form large, dense flocks during migration, particularly at staging sites.

The Curlew Sandpiper's call is a soft, rolling 'chirrup' or 'chirrip', often given in flight. During the breeding season, males produce a trilling song described as a rapid 'trit-trit-trit-treeee', typically delivered during display flights over their territories.

Curlew Sandpipers form breeding pairs soon after arriving in the Arctic tundra, typically in June. Males perform aerial displays to attract females.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often near water and lined with leaves and lichen. Females typically lay 4 eggs, which are pale green to olive with brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 21 days, primarily by the female. Chicks are precocial and can feed themselves shortly after hatching, fledging after about 14-16 days.

The Curlew Sandpiper typically lives for 10 to 15 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Due to population declines, the Curlew Sandpiper is listed as Near Threatened. Key threats include habitat loss in breeding and non-breeding areas, particularly the destruction of tidal mudflats. Climate change impacts on Arctic breeding grounds are also a concern.

Look for Curlew Sandpipers on coastal mudflats and salt marshes during migration
Observe the distinctive down-curved bill and longer legs compared to other small sandpipers
Watch for their rapid feeding behaviour, often in mixed flocks with other waders
In Australia, check coastal areas during the austral summer for non-breeding birds

Main predators include Arctic foxes, skuas, and gulls on breeding grounds. During migration and winter, various birds of prey and larger gulls pose threats.

Curlew Sandpipers can fly non-stop for up to 5,000 kilometres during migration.
They have been recorded at elevations up to 4,500 meters while crossing the Himalayas.
Some individuals live up to 19 years despite their small size.

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