adult; no sexual dimorphism (California, USA; 2007-09-27)


Whimbrel
Numerius phaeopus

Native Range: North America and Eurasia

Notes: a large coastal sandpiper often found in small flocks; feeds in a variety of habitats ranging from mudflats and sandy beaches to rocky shores; uses its long decurved bill to pick food as well as to probe deeply into the substrate in search of infaunal polychaete worms, crabs, and other invertebrates; distinguished from Long-billed Curlew by smaller size, shorter bill, and more striped head; distinguished from similar-sized Marbled Godwit by decurved (rather than recurved) bill.

back-and-tan striping on head (California, USA; 2009-03-21)
strongly decurved bill (California, USA; 2009-02-08)

gray-brown overall in flight (California, USA; 2008-05-04)
some barring on tail (California, USA; 2006-03-21)

holding a 'sand flea' (California, USA; 2009-08-16)
small fock (California, USA; 2006-03-21)

walking among oysters (California, USA; 2006-03-26)
with Marbled Godwit in background (California, USA; 2006-03-01)

decurved bill evident in flight (California, USA; 2007-08-07)
action shot in surf (California, USA; 2006-11-19)