Eurasian Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
Coastal lagoons. Large shorebird with long, black, down-curved bill. Dark brown crown with central white stripe; above dark brown mottled white; below white, streaked brown on breast and flanks.
Allied Waders, Sandpipers
NT
Not Endemic
Description
Common summer visitor, a few all year. Differs from [Eurasian Curlew] in markedly smaller size, shorter decurved bill (about two and a half times length of head) and dark cap with pale central line. In flight shows extensive white back and rump. Call is a twittering ‘peep-eep-eep-eep-ee’. Occurs singly or in small groups on coastal lagoons, rocky shorelines, estuary and harbour mudflats; less frequently on inland waters.
Quick Facts
Size
43 cm - L
Names
A: Kleinwulp
Z: unokhifi
Ss: Keowe E Nnyenyane
G: Regenbrachvogel
Bird Family
A group of small birds usually found along shorelines and wading in shallow water. They usually have longish legs and bills for probing mud, feeding on small insects and invertebrates. Species breed in northern regions and during this time the males assume richly coloured plumage. They migrate south in drab non-breeding plumage at the start of the southern hemisphere summer. Illustrations depict the species in non-breeding plumage, unless otherwise indicated.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Occurs singly or in small groups on coastal lagoons, rocky shorelines, 'estuary' and harbour mudflats; less frequently on inland waters.
