Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus)

OTHER NAMES: Hudsonian Curlew
Latin Etymology: Numenius (bird mentioned by Hesychius) hudsonicus (of the Hudson)

Adult Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus) at Berkeley, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Unknown
Weight: 270-493g  /  Length: 37-47cm  /  Wingspan: 75-90cm
NO UK STATUS/ Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A recent split from the closely related Eurasian Whimbrel due to genetic and plumage differences, like most US waders they are tundra breeders which migrate South during the Winter, although in this instance their wintering range extends right down to the southern tip of Patagonia in South America. It is not recognised by all authorities, but is by ones including IOC and BOU.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Numenius
SUBSPECIES: N. h. rufiventris, N. h. hudsonicus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in Alaska and Winters coastally in the Lower 48.
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley and Half Moon Bay

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus*, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)

OTHER NAMES: Sicklebird, Candlestick Bird
Latin Etymology: Numenius (bird mentioned by Hesychius) americanus ("American") 

Adult Long-billed Curlew (subspecies N. a. parvus) at Monterey, California -  September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Numenius americanus parvus
Weight: 490-950g  /  Length: 50-65cm  /  Wingspan: 62-92cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the three curlew species that, depending on the metric you use, tie up the category of "largest wader" and certainly the largest species of the group to be regularly found in North America. As the name suggests, the long probing beak is the immediate feature that sticks out and while overlapping with the similar Far-Eastern Curlew, holds the record for the longest beak of a wader at up to 21.9cm.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Numenius
SUBSPECIES: N. a. americanus, N. a. parvus 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in West-Central North America and Winter along much of the Coast of the Lower 48
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP:  Seen at Hayward, Berkeley and Monterey
 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eurasian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

OTHER NAMES: Whimbrel, May Curlew, May Whaap, May Fowl, Half Curlew

Latin Etymology: Numenius (bird mentioned by Hesychius) phaeopus ("brown foot")

Adult Whimbrel (subspecies N. p. phaeopus) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: Numenius phaeopus phaeopus
Weight: 270-493g  /  Length: 37-47cm  /  Wingspan: 75-90cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Whimbrel visually looks very much like a smaller curlew with the differences not necessarily being obvious to the casual observer at quick glance but most notably the different calls (whimbrels being a 7-note piping sound) and the shorter and more sharply curving beak. The whimbrel is much rarer than the curlew however which has a population in the region of 200 times the size. The whimbrel mainly breeds in Northern Scotland but, fortunately for me, can be seen on passage in other parts of the UK - in this case, Rainham, Trevose Head and Crayford Marshes along the Thames.  

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Numenius
Subspecies: N. p. phaeopus, N. p. alboaxillaris, N. p. variegatus

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare breeding species (400-500 pairs) and rare Wintering species (around 30 birds)

 - Seen on passage at Trevose Head, Rainham Marshes and Crayford Marshes.
SINGAPORE - A passage migrant and winter visitor

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Common at Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)

OTHER NAMES: Curlew, Great Curlew, Whaup

Latin Etymology: Numenius (bird mentioned by Hesychius) arquata ("bow shaped")

Adult Eurasian Curlew (subspecies N. a. arquata) at Thornham Harbour, Norfolk - November 2021

Featured Subspecies: Numenius arquata arquata
Weight: 410-1360g / Length: 50-60cm / Wingspan: 80-100cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

The curlew is Europe's largest wader, a huge distinctive bird with only the whimbrel looking similar. Although one of the easier waders to see, it is actually considered near threatened on a global level. Although it is fairly widespread and be seen at both inland and coastal sites, it tends to be less communal than many other waders and is far more likely to be found as individuals than most common waders. It shouldn't pose too much of a problem to find, although in varying parts of the country it is either wintering, summering or resident.  It is however quite flighty and you are unlikely to get too close to one without use of a hide.

Further Information:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Numenius
Subspecies: N. a. arquata, N. a. orientalis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An local breeding species (68,000 territories) and local Wintering species (150,000 birds)

 - Seen at Rutland Water, Elmley Marshes, Oare Marshes, Trevose Head and Berwick-upon-Tweed

Further Notes: Arkive, BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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