Whimbrel
Least ConcernNumenius phaeopus
Visual Identification
Whimbrel
Appearance
The Whimbrel is a medium-sized shorebird with distinctive features. It has a long, downcurved bill, brown-streaked plumage, and a prominent dark crown stripe bordered by pale supercilium. Its legs are bluish-grey, and its wings show a pale V-shaped wedge in flight.
Males and females look similar in appearance, although females are slightly larger. Juveniles have slightly shorter bills and buffier underparts. During the breeding season, adults may show slightly richer colouration.
Size
Length
40cm to 46cm
Wingspan
76cm to 89cm
Weight
270g to 493g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Secondary Colour
Buff
Beak Colour
Brown Grey
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Whimbrels breed in subarctic regions across North America and Eurasia, favouring open tundra and moorlands. During migration and winter, they are found along coastlines, mudflats, and estuaries worldwide.
In the UK, Whimbrels are common passage migrants. They are seen along coasts during spring and autumn. They also winter in small numbers in southern coastal areas of England and Wales.
Whimbrels live on moorlands and uplands in northern Scotland, with Shetland hosting the majority of the UK’s breeding population of up to 470 pairs in the 1990s. Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and the extreme north of the Scottish mainland have also recorded established breeding grounds.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 4,000 meters
Climate zones
Arctic, Temperate, Tropical, Subtropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Whimbrels have a varied diet, primarily consisting of marine invertebrates such as crabs, shrimp, and molluscs, including snails and slugs. During the breeding season, they also consume insects, berries, and small vertebrates.
Their long, curved bill is perfectly adapted for probing deep into sand, mud, or vegetation to extract prey. They also pick berries and flower buds from bushes.
Behaviour
Whimbrels are often seen probing the ground with their long bills, searching for prey in a deliberate, methodical manner. They are highly gregarious outside the breeding season, forming large flocks during migration and on wintering grounds.
These birds are known for their impressive long-distance flights, often covering thousands of kilometres non-stop during migration.
Vocalisation
The Whimbrel's call is a distinctive, rippling whistle, often described as a series of 7 notes sounding like 'tee-tee-tee-tee-tee-tee-tee'. This call is frequently given in flight and can be heard over long distances.
During breeding season, males may perform aerial displays accompanied by a bubbling song. In courtship or in defence of a nest site, a scream-like whistle is heard.
Nesting & Breeding
Whimbrels form monogamous pairs and breed in the Arctic and subarctic regions. The breeding season typically begins in late May or early June, coinciding with the short Arctic summer.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often in areas with low vegetation. The female usually lays 4 eggs, which are olive-green with brown spots, providing excellent camouflage.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 24-28 days, with the female doing most. Chicks are precocial and can leave the nest within hours of hatching, fledging after 35-40 days.
Lifespan
The Whimbrel typically lives for 11 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 24.2 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Whimbrel populations face threats from habitat loss, particularly in coastal areas and staging sites along migration routes. Climate change impacts on their Arctic breeding grounds are also a growing concern.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting key wetlands and coastal habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Whimbrels along coastal mudflats, beaches, and estuaries during migration
- Listen for their distinctive, rippling call, often given in flight
- Observe their unique feeding behaviour, probing deeply into sand or mud
- In the UK, watch for them during spring and autumn migrations along the coast
- Use a spotting scope to appreciate their distinctive bill shape and plumage details
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Eurasian Whimbrel, Common Whimbrel
Family:
ScolopacidaePredators
Adult Whimbrels are preyed upon by large raptors such as Peregrine Falcons and Gyrfalcons. Eggs and chicks are vulnerable to Arctic foxes, gulls, and jaegers.
Did You Know?
- Whimbrels can fly up to 4,000 km (2,485 miles) non-stop during migration. One highly accomplished whimbrel, nicknamed Winnie, was tracked, completing a 5,000 km (3,200 mi) distance in only 146 hours, racking up a speed of almost 22 miles per hour.
- Their scientific name 'phaeopus' means 'dusky foot' in Greek.
- Some Whimbrels use different migration routes for spring and fall journeys.
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References
- 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Numenius phaeopus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22693178A86585436.
View source - 3 4
report, 2015: Wetlands International
- 1
website, 2012: Robinson and Clark, The Online Ringing Report: Bird ringing in Britain & Ireland in 2011
View source