Species Profile
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Eurasian Whimbrel, Common Whimbrel
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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.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Buff
- Beak
- Brown
- Legs
- Grey
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & 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.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
England
Northern Ireland
Wales
Rutland
Cornwall
Devon
Dorset
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Merseyside
Lincolnshire
Northumberland
Norfolk
North Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
Suffolk
West Sussex
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.
Calls & Sounds
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.
Conservation
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.
Elevation
Sea level to 4,000 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- 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.
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
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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