The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is a large shorebird that belongs to the genus Numenius in the family Scolopacidae, which includes sandpipers and their allies. So at first glance, it may seem reasonable to call the Whimbrel a type of sandpiper. However, taxonomically classifying birds can be complex, so whether the Whimbrel can accurately be described as a sandpiper requires a more in-depth look at its characteristics and relationship to other shorebirds.
Taxonomy of the Whimbrel
The Whimbrel belongs to the order Charadriiformes, which contains shorebirds, gulls, terns, skimmers, and auks. Within this order, the Whimbrel is placed in the family Scolopacidae. This large and diverse family consists of the sandpipers, phalaropes, and allies.
So while the Whimbrel does belong to the overall sandpiper family Scolopacidae, within this family it is placed in the subfamily Numeninae along with eight other species in the genus Numenius. These nine Numenius species are commonly referred to as curlews and are differentiated from other Scolopacidae like sandpipers and phalaropes.
Key differences between curlews (Numenius) and sandpipers
There are several anatomical and behavioral differences between curlews in the genus Numenius and the sandpipers in the subfamily Calidrinae:
Characteristic | Curlews (Numenius) | Sandpipers (Calidrinae) |
Bill shape | Very long and decurved | Variable lengths, usually straight or slightly decurved |
Foraging behavior | More likely to probe deeply in mud for food | Peck at surface or probe shallowly |
Habitat | Coastlines are preferred, some Tundra also | Greater variety, coasts, marshes, mudflats |
So while both curlews and sandpipers belong to the same broad family Scolopacidae, curlews like the Whimbrel have evolved distinct adaptations like their specialized long, curved bills that enable their specific probing foraging strategies and preferences for coastal habitats.
Characteristics of the Whimbrel
Now that we have established the place of the Whimbrel in the shorebird taxonomy, let’s take a closer look at some of its defining features:
Size and appearance
– Length: 16.5 to 19.5 inches
– Wingspan: 29.5 to 33.5 inches
– Weight: Approx 1 lb
The Whimbrel has a long dark bill with a slight downward curve. Its plumage is evenly brown on top and lighter below with dark streaking. It has a distinct white rump and stripe over the eye. The legs are gray to bluish-gray. In flight, the Whimbrel shows greyish wings with black tips.
Calls
– Loud repetitive whistle: “tee-hee-hee”
– Call carries over long distances
– Easily distinguished from calls of other shorebirds
Range and habitat
The Whimbrel has an extremely large range:
– Breeds in subarctic areas across North America and Eurasia.
– Winters along coastlines from North America to South America.
– Migration routes over ocean can be 2,500+ miles.
Preferred habitats:
– Tundra for nesting
– Coastlines from tidal flats to sandy beaches for wintering and migration.
Diet and feeding
– Feeds primarily on invertebrates such as crabs, marine worms, and insects.
– Will eat berries and seeds occasionally.
– Uses its long, downcurved bill to probe deep into mud or wet sand.
– Also pecks at surface and exposed rocks.
– Visual forager.
Comparison to sandpipers
We’ve covered how the Whimbrel fits taxonomically within the sandpiper family Scolopacidae but has key differences as part of the curlew genus Numenius. To further illustrate this, let’s directly compare the Whimbrel to a typical sandpiper species, the Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia):
Whimbrel | Spotted Sandpiper | |
Size | 16.5 to 19.5 inches long | 5.5 to 8 inches long |
Bill shape | Very long and obviously decurved | Medium length and straight |
Plumage | cryptic; browns with streaking | prominent spots during breeding season |
Habitat | Coastlines for wintering and migration | River shorelines, wetlands, marshes |
Foraging method | Deep probing in wet sand or mud | Pecks at surface and shallow probing |
The Whimbrel and Spotted Sandpiper occupy different ecological niches based on their specialized adaptations for feeding, habitat preferences, and other traits.
Conclusion
While the Whimbrel does belong to the taxonomic family Scolopacidae that contains sandpipers, it is differentiated enough to be classified in its own subfamily and genus as a curlew. Compared to true sandpipers, the Whimbrel has evolved distinct features and behaviors to occupy its coastal habitat and take advantage of crabs, mollusks, and other food buried deep in the sand and mud.
So in summary, while the Whimbrel is related to and shares some traits with sandpipers, it is not accurately described specifically as a sandpiper due to its unique long decurved bill, preference for coastlines, and deep probing feeding behaviors that separate it from other sandpiper species. The Whimbrel is a coastal-adapted curlew that is best described simply as a large “shorebird” without confusing it too closely with the true sandpipers.