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8

Whimbrel

(Numenius phaeopus)
Size: 38-43 cm; wing span 75-90 cm
Weight: 310-490 g

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Whimbrel at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

Race "phaeopus"

ADULT

FEMALE

Lateral view of a female(?) Whimbrel making the rounds of a pond
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

This Whimbrel was often seen by us wading just inside the water
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

Whimbrel venturing a bit deeper into a pond
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

Dorsal view of a Whimbrel
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

Race "variegatus"

Whimbrels, race "variegatus", have also been photographed by us in Australia.

Food, Diet

Although normally specialised on molluscs and crustaceans, Whimbrels have been seen by us to also take fruit (see photos below).

Sometimes a Whimbrel going further "inland" can win a prize
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

This Whimbrel obviously liked the taste of dates
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, September 2009]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

whimbrl_20150326_2.m4a (NE NSW) Warning/departure © MD
whimbrl_20150327.m4a (NE NSW) ? © MD
whimbrl_20150327_2.mp3 (NE NSW) ? © MD
whimbrl_20150326.m4a (NE NSW) ? © MD
whimbrl_20160920.mp3 (NE NSW) ? © MD
whimbrl_20160920_2.mp3 (NE NSW) ? © MD

More Whimbrel sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site?
If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.