© Photo by Bob Coyle Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus The whimbrel is like a smaller version of the curlew which breeds on moorlands and uplands and can be seen on coastal habitats as it passes through on migration. © Photo by Bob Coyle On its breeding grounds Whimbrel feed on ground insects, snails and slugs, swapping these tasty morsels for crustaceans, shrimps and molluscs when migrating. How to Identify The whimbrel is streaky, greyish-brown with long, blue-grey legs and a long, down-curved, grey bill. It can be distinguished from the larger curlew by its shorter bill and strong face pattern with a dark crown, a pale stripe down the middle and dark eye-stripe. The call is a series of about seven whistles. When they fly whimbrel show a white wedge on the back and tail. Where to Find Nests on moorland in Shetland, Orkney and the far north of Scotland. Fairly common on migration on wetlands and wet grassland throughout the country. How People Can Help Breeding populations of whimbrel have declined in recent years but may now be on the increase. Local Wildlife Trusts across the country are looking after wetland and coastal habitats for the benefit of wading birds like whimbrel. Ensuring breeding birds are not disturbed and farmers use wildlife-friendly farming practices are just some of the ways we’re helping. And you can help too: volunteer for The Wildlife Trusts and you could be involved in everything from monitoring populations to managing upland habitats. Did you know? Apart from the whimbrel and curlew there are six other species of curlew in the world, of which two – the Eskimo curlew of North America and the slender-billed curlew of Eastern Europe – may be extinct. Key FactsLength: 40-46cmWingspan: 82cmWeight: 430gAverage lifespan: 11 years Donate Donate to help support Whimbrel and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Crossbill Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Goosander Birds Great Crested Grebe Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds Hobby Birds House Martin Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Lesser Redpoll Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Little Owl Birds Little Ringed Plover Birds Long-Eared Owl Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Marsh Harrier Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Osprey Birds Oystercatcher Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Pied Wagtail Birds Raven Birds Red Grouse Birds Red Kite Birds Redstart Birds Redwing Birds Reed Bunting Birds Reed Warbler Birds Ringed Plover Birds Robin Birds Rock Pipit Birds Rook Birds Sedge Warbler Birds Short-Eared Owl Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Spotted Flycatcher Birds Starling Birds Stonechat Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Teal Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Tufted Duck Birds Water Rail Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whinchat Birds Whitethroat Birds Wigeon Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Woodcock Birds Wren Birds Yellow Wagtail Birds Yellowhammer Birds