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Large, brown shorebird with long, decurved bill.
NT: Endangered
At a glance
FamilySandpipers and Allies
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
HabitatMudflats, saltmarsh, estuaries, beaches, lagoons, and shallow inland wetlands.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from September to March.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Vandousselaere Patrick
Range map
Range map
1245visible hotspots
66199visible records
6states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Note bold head stripes. Occurs on mudflats, beaches, and coastal marshes. Extensive Eastern Hemisphere range, breeding on the Arctic tundra and wintering on coastlines as far south as Australia and southern Africa. Generally uncommon to rare inland. Formerly considered the same species as Hudsonian Whimbrel, which has a uniform brown rump and lower back. Also very similar to Bristle-thighed Curlew, which overlaps locally in the South Pacific. Eurasian Whimbrel is colder brown and has a white rump rather than the bright buffy rump of Bristle-thighed. Also compare with shorter-billed Little Curlew in Asia, and larger curlews such as Eurasian and Far Eastern.
Behavior
Often in flocks, sometimes mixed with other large shorebirds like godwits or other curlews. Listen for call, a series of short, shrill whistles.
Gallery