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Curlew SandpiperAlternate name(s): "Curlew Sting", "Pygmy Curlew" Size: 18-19 cm; wing span 42-46 cm Weight: 35-100 g |
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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BREEDING |
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MALE |
Distant near-lateral view of a Curlew Sandpiper in
what looks like (already) worn breeding
plumage; based on
the length of the bill, this is probably a male
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Nudgee Beach, QLD, March 2018]
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FEMALE |
Lateral view of a Curlew Sandpiper in fresh breeding
plumage; based on
the length of the bill, this is probably a female
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Nudgee Beach, QLD, March 2018]
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NON-BREEDING |
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MALE |
Near-lateral view of a male(?) Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Nudgee Beach, QLD, November 2018]
Lateral view of a male(?) Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Caloundra Headland, QLD, January 2018]
Lateral view of a male(?) Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Nudgee Beach, QLD, November 2018]
Lateral view of a male(?) Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Nudgee Beach, QLD, November 2018]
Lateral view of a male(?) Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage; note
the rather long hind toes
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Nudgee Beach, QLD, November 2018]
Lateral view of a male(?) Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
spreading its wings (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Nudgee Beach, QLD, November 2018]
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FEMALE |
Lateral view of a female(?) Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
[Near Breeza, NSW, December 2013]
Female(?) Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage feeding on the edge of a
farm dam
[Near Breeza, NSW, December 2013]
Sex unknown |
Near-frontal view of a Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Flat Rock, Ballina, NSW, January 2023]
Near-lateral view of a Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Flat Rock, Ballina, NSW, January 2023]
Near-lateral view of a Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Flat Rock, Ballina, NSW, January 2023]
Lateral view of a Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Flat Rock, Ballina, NSW, January 2023]
Lateral view of two Curlew Sandpipers in non-breeding
plumage on a
beach
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Caloundra Headland, QLD, January 2018]
Small flock of waders in non-breeding
plumage on the shore
of an ephemeral lake;
most of them are
Sharp-tailed Sandpipers,
with 3 Curlew Sandpipers (down-curved black bill, black legs)
[Goran Lake, 30 km South of Gunnedah, NSW,
January 2022]
Lateral view of a small flock of waders in non-breeding
plumage on the shore
of an ephemeral lake;
most of them are
Sharp-tailed Sandpipers,
with 3 Curlew Sandpipers (down-curved black bill, black legs)
[Goran Lake, 30 km South of Gunnedah, NSW,
January 2022]
Near-dorsal view of a Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Port of Brisbane Wader Roost, Brisbane, QLD, January 2019]
Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage in flight
[Near Breeza, NSW, December 2013]
Curlew Sandpiper in non-breeding plumage in flight, seen from behind;
note the white rump
[Near Breeza, NSW, December 2013]
Cox's Sandpiper - Calidris melanotos x ferruginea
Pectoral Sandpipers and Curlew Sandpipers can hybridize. The hybrids are called "Cox's Sandpiper".
M. Eaton reports finding a Cox's Sandpiper at the Kianawah Road Wetland, Wynnum, QLD, in March 2019.
Identification of Cox's Sandpiper is made based on the bill, the streaked front and the white undertail coverts. The bill is very similar to a Curlew Sandpiper's but usually shorter, possibly also less curved. The front down to the chest is streaked like a Pectoral Sandpiper, with a sharp cut-off at the chest. The all-white undertail coverts distinguish Cox's Sandpiper from the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
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NON-BREEDING |
Near-lateral view of a Cox's Sandpiper in transitional
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kianawah Road Wetland, Wynnum, QLD, March 2019]
Lateral view of a Cox's Sandpiper in transitional
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kianawah Road Wetland, Wynnum, QLD, March 2019]
Lateral view of a Cox's Sandpiper in transitional
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kianawah Road Wetland, Wynnum, QLD, March 2019]
Frontal view of a Cox's Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage,
right, with a non-breeding
Sharp-tailed
Sandpiper
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kianawah Road Wetland, Wynnum, QLD, March 2019]
Near-frontal view of Cox's Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kianawah Road Wetland, Wynnum, QLD, March 2019]
Near-lateral view of Cox's Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kianawah Road Wetland, Wynnum, QLD, March 2019]
Lateral view of a Cox's Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kianawah Road Wetland, Wynnum, QLD, March 2019]
Lateral view of a Cox's Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kianawah Road Wetland, Wynnum, QLD, March 2019]
Near-dorsal view of a Cox's Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage,
right, with a non-breeding
Sharp-tailed
Sandpiper
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kianawah Road Wetland, Wynnum, QLD, March 2019]
Near-dorsal view of a Cox's Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage,
right, with a non-breeding
Sharp-tailed
Sandpiper
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kianawah Road Wetland, Wynnum, QLD, March 2019]
Dorsal/ventral view of Cox's Sandpiper in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kianawah Road Wetland, Wynnum, QLD, March 2019]