Long-billed Curlew

More Bird Resources Shorebirds Types of Birds

The Whimbrel (Numenius americanus) is a large native shorebird that looks similar to the Long-billed Curlew.

The smaller bill and more defined head stripes serve as the basic field identificaiton clues. Their feathers also tend to be a duller shade of brown that Curlew feathers.

They rank at the top of the world's great flyers, breeding in the Arctic and returning to many areas of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere (including Australia and South America) for winter.

Small wintering populations can be found along the coastal areas of the United States where they feed on local crustaceans.

© 2009. Patricia A. Michaels.