# Eurasian Whimbrel (*Numenius phaeopus*) The Eurasian Whimbrel is a long-legged bird with a beautiful curved beak. It loves to wander along the coast and search for tasty snacks like crabs and worms in the sand. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Eurasian Whimbrel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Whimbrel_Numenius_phaeopus.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andreas Trepte, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whimbrel_Numenius_phaeopus.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Whimbrel is a medium-sized shorebird with long legs and a distinctive long, downcurved bill. Its plumage is mottled brown and grey with striking dark stripes on its crown, making it easily identifiable against sandy or muddy shores. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Scolopacidae - **Genus:** Numenius ## Interesting facts - Their long, curved beak is perfectly shaped to pull tasty crabs and worms from the mud! - These birds have a unique 'tittering' call that sounds like 'whim-bray'! - When startled, whimbrels often fly in a zigzag pattern to confuse predators! - Whimbrels are champion long-distance fliers, traveling thousands of kilometers for winter! ## Special abilities - **Probe Master:** Eurasian Whimbrel can find hidden prey because of its super-long, curved bill that probes deep into mud. - **Arctic Navigator:** Eurasian Whimbrel can migrate thousands of kilometers because of its amazing ability to navigate vast distances. - **Camouflage Cloak:** Eurasian Whimbrel has mottled brown feathers that helps them blend perfectly with shorelines to hide. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 40-46 cm - **Wingspan:** 70-80 cm - **Weight:** 0.25-0.55 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-4 - **Incubation:** 22-28 days - **Migration Distance:** 10000 km ## Diet & Feeding This shorebird pecks and probes for small invertebrates and berries, enjoying a varied menu. - **Primary Foods:** crabs, marine worms, insects, mollusks, berries, shrimp - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Peregrine Falcon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peregrine-falcon) (*Falco peregrinus*) — Juveniles and adults are prey. - **Eaten by:** [Arctic Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-fox) (*Vulpes lagopus*) — Preys on eggs and chicks. - **Hunts:** Common Shore Crab (*Carcinus maenas*) — A main food source. - **Hunts:** Ragworm (*Hediste diversicolor*) — Probes mud for these worms. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Whimbrel? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eurasian Whimbrel? 40-46 cm ### What is Eurasian Whimbrel's wingspan? 70-80 cm ### How much does Eurasian Whimbrel weigh? 0.25-0.55 kg ### How long does Eurasian Whimbrel live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Eurasian Whimbrel move? 60 km/h ### What does Eurasian Whimbrel eat? This shorebird pecks and probes for small invertebrates and berries, enjoying a varied menu. ### Where is Eurasian Whimbrel usually found? Coastal areas ## Where to spot - [Corralejo Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/corralejo-natural-park) — Canarias, ES · Park - [Playa del Matorral Site of Scientific Interest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/playa-del-matorral-site-of-scientific-interest) — Fuerteventura, Canarias, ES · Park ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Eurasian Whimbrel: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-whimbrel)