Curlew Sandpiper
ExploreBirds
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferruginea
The Curlew Sandpiper is a small, beautiful bird with long legs and a curved beak. It loves to run along the shore and search for tiny food in the sand and mud.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Curlew Sandpiper has a long, slender, downward-curved bill and relatively long dark legs. In breeding season, it sports striking brick-red underparts and a dark mottled back, while non-breeding birds are a plainer grey-brown above and white below.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyScolopacidaeGenusCalidris
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Sometimes, thousands of them flock together during migration!
The male often cares for the chicks all by himself!
Their nesting grounds are in the very cold Arctic tundra!
They can drink saltwater, thanks to special glands!
Special abilities
Ability
Arctic Navigator
Curlew Sandpiper can fly thousands of miles because they have incredible stamina that helps them migrate from the Arctic to southern continents.
Ability
Mud Probe Master
Curlew Sandpiper can find hidden worms deep in the mud because of their long, sensitive, curved bill that acts like a precise detector.
Ability
Camouflage Cloak
Curlew Sandpiper has drab gray and white feathers in winter that help them disappear against muddy shores, hiding from predators.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 18-23 cm
- Wingspan
- 38-46 cm
- Weight
- 0.04-0.11 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Top Speed
- 70 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 3-4
- Incubation
- 19-22 days
- Migration Distance
- 15000 km
Diet & Feeding
They munch on tiny worms and insects found hiding in mud and sand.
Primary Foods
- Marine worms
- Insect larvae
- Small crustaceans
- Mollusks
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
hunts them during their long migration flights
eaten by
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinus
preys on eggs, chicks, and sometimes adults
eaten by
Arctic Fox
Vulpes lagopus
eats their eggs and chicks in the Arctic
eats
Common Ragworm
Hediste diversicolor
probes mudflats to find these marine worms
eats
Laver Spire Shell
Hydrobia ulvae
sucks tiny snails from the surface of mudflats
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Migratory
Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Curlew Sandpiper?
18-23 cm
What is Curlew Sandpiper's wingspan?
38-46 cm
How much does Curlew Sandpiper weigh?
0.04-0.11 kg
How long does Curlew Sandpiper live?
5-10 years
How fast can Curlew Sandpiper move?
70 km/h
What does Curlew Sandpiper eat?
They munch on tiny worms and insects found hiding in mud and sand.
Where is Curlew Sandpiper usually found?
Coastal areas
How does Curlew Sandpiper hunt?
Foraging
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