Eurasian Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopus (Linnaeus, 1758)

2018-05-27 Tyumen region, Yalutorovsk	© Dmitry Porshnev

Description

Eurasian Whimbrel is similar in colour to Curlew but is well distinguished by the colour of upper-head which id plain black-brownish with longitudinal not broad but well expressive median pale strip. From all other parts the brownish crown boarded by the pale supercilliums. Rear-back and rump are white with dark-brown spots. Uppertail is white with broad dark core-streaks; the longest of them are cross-striped. Flanks, abdomen and undertail often have chaotic transversal pattern. Axilla feathers are white with narrow dark transversal strips. Tail feathers are grey with dark-brown transversal pattern. Bill is black, lags are bluish-grey. Eyes are brownish. Juveniles are similar on adult but browner. Size: wing 225-270 mm, bill 65-90 mm.

References