Eurasian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) lives in coastal wetlands across Subarctic North America, Europe and Asia. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
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A real field recording of the Eurasian Whimbrel, made in the wild.
In flight the Eurasian whimbrel flashes a stark white rump, a field mark that sets it apart from its New World cousin. Only the nominate subspecies and N. alboaxillaris retain a white back and rump, which is clearly visible when the bird is airborne. Whimbrels in Europe and Asia therefore show a contrasting white patch, whereas the Hudsonian whimbrel's rump blends with its drab brown plumage.
When a predator approaches the nest, the female whimbrel freezes, then darts a short distance and circles, calling to draw the intruder away. The nest itself is a simple bare scrape on tundra or Arctic moorland, usually lined with low vegetation or moss. The clutch contains three to five eggs, and the hatchlings are fluffy, yellow and black with short beaks and strong scaly legs.
As migration approaches, the whimbrel adds berries to its diet, supplementing the usual fare of soft-mud invertebrates and small crabs it picks from the surface. It probes the mud for tiny worms and other invertebrates, then lifts small crabs onto the shore to eat. Occasionally it will also take insects such as blue tiger butterflies when they are available. This varied diet helps it build the energy reserves needed for its long migratory journeys.
Iceland provides habitat for about one-third of the global breeding population of Eurasian whimbrels, making the island a crucial stronghold for the species. Breeding birds nest on the tundra and Arctic moorland of the island, often in low vegetation or moss. Recent surveys, however, show that whimbrel numbers are declining across most of Iceland, with many colonies shrinking.
The Eurasian whimbrel measures 37-47 cm long with a 75-90 cm wingspan and weighs between 270 and 493 g. These dimensions make it a fairly large, yet mid-sized member of the curlew genus.
Sources
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As the Eurasian Whimbrel takes to the skies, its slender form undulates through the air with a mesmerizing rhythm, the gentle curves of its wings beating in a slow, hypnotic pulse. With each delicate step, it probes the tidal flats and muddy estuaries, its long, decurved bill twitching with an unerring instinct for the hidden treasures of the shoreline. In its annual migrations, this unassuming bird traverses vast expanses of the globe, a testament to its remarkable endurance and unwavering determination.
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