Numenius (Numenius) phaeopus
Whimbrel
©Mike Baird: Whimbrel
©Charlie: Two Whimbrels on the shore at Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia
©Anne: Whimbrel at Lizard Island
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Charadriiformes
Family
Scolopacidae
Genus
Numenius
Species
Numenius (Numenius) phaeopus
Status
least concern
Colours
Distinguishing features
The Whimbrel has a long, downcurved black bill that is pink at its lower base. The bird is brown above and paler brown below. There is a darker stripe from the base of the bill through the eye. At Lizard Island, Whimbrels have a white patch on the lower back that is clearly visible in flight, although Simpson et al (2004) state that this character is variable across its wider distribution.
Size
- Up to 43 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- From 76 cm to 89 cm
Synonyms
Similar taxa
-
Animalia:
Eastern Curlew (species: Numenius (Numenius) madagascariensis)
Larger than the Whimbrel and with a much longer bill -
Animalia:
Little Curlew (species: Numenius (Numenius) minutus)
Smaller than the Whimbrel and with a shorter bill -
Animalia:
Eastern Curlew (species: Numenius (Numenius) madagascariensis)
Larger than the Whimbrel and with a much longer bill -
Animalia:
Little Curlew (species: Numenius (Numenius) minutus)
Smaller than the Whimbrel and with a shorter bill
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Audio recordings
Web resources
References
- Domm, S. (1977). Sea birds and waders of the Lizard Island area, The Sunbird, 8: 1-8. LIRS catalog number 4.
- Simpson, K., N. Day and P. Trusler (2004). Field Guide to Birds of Australia: 7th Edition Penguin Group (Australia), Camberwell, Victoria.
- Smith, G.C. (1987). The birds of Eagle Island, a tropical sand cay on the northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia, The Sunbird, 17(1): 1-11. LIRS catalog number 245.