Curlew Sandpiper

About

The Curlew Sandpiper is a medium-sized wader, known for its distinctive downcurved bill and striking brick-red breeding plumage. It is a long-distance migrant, breeding in the Arctic tundra and wintering in coastal areas across Africa, southern Asia, and Australasia. Its elegant appearance and active foraging behavior make it a captivating species for birdwatchers.

Size & lifespan

Length

18-23 cm

Wingspan

38-46 cm

Weight

40-110 g

Lifespan

Up to 10 years in the wild

Diet

Carnivore (primarily invertebrates)

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Breeding adults are largely brick-red on the underparts, face, and neck, with dark brown upperparts heavily streaked with rufous. Non-breeding adults are pale grey-brown above and white below, with a prominent white supercilium. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but have a buff wash on the breast and flanks, and scaly-patterned upperparts.

Beak shape

Long, slender, and distinctly downcurved black bill.

Eye color

Dark brown

Leg color

Black

Distinguishing features

The most distinctive feature is its long, decurved black bill. In breeding plumage, the rich brick-red underparts are unmistakable. In non-breeding plumage, the white supercilium, pale grey upperparts, and decurved bill help distinguish it from similar species. A prominent white rump is visible in flight.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles have a buff wash on the breast and flanks, often with fine streaking. Their upperparts are grey-brown with neat buff fringes, giving a scaly appearance. The supercilium is prominent and buff-tinged.

Seasonal changes

Dramatic seasonal changes. Breeding plumage (late spring to early autumn) features rich brick-red underparts. Non-breeding plumage (autumn to spring) is much plainer, with pale grey-brown upperparts and white underparts.

Sexual dimorphism

Males and females are generally similar in plumage, though males tend to be slightly brighter in breeding plumage. Females may be marginally larger.

How to identify

1. 1

   Bill Shape

   Look for the distinctive long, slender, and distinctly downcurved black bill. This is a key field mark in all plumages.

2. 2

   Breeding Plumage Coloration

   In summer, the rich, uniform brick-red underparts, face, and neck are unmistakable. No other small wader has this extensive red coloration.

3. 3

   Non-breeding Plumage

   Pale grey-brown upperparts, clean white underparts, and a prominent white supercilium (eyebrow stripe) are characteristic. The decurved bill remains the best feature.

4. 4

   Juvenile Plumage

   Look for the buff wash on the breast and flanks, and the neatly fringed, scaly-looking upperparts. The decurved bill is still present.

5. 5

   Flight Identification

   Observe the prominent white rump and white wing-bar (though less obvious than some other waders) against dark wings. The flight call is also distinctive.

6. 6

   Behavior

   Watch its feeding style – often probing deeply with its decurved bill, sometimes with its head submerged, in soft mud.

7. 7

   Call

   Listen for the soft, liquid 'chirrup' or 'chur-rup' call, especially when birds are flushed or in flight.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Tundra (breeding), coastal wetlands, estuaries, mudflats, saltmarshes, lagoons (non-breeding and migration).

Geographic range

Breeds in Arctic Siberia (Taimyr Peninsula eastward to Chukotka). Migrates through Europe, Asia, and Africa. Winters extensively in coastal Africa, southern Asia, and Australasia.

Elevation range

Typically found at sea level in non-breeding areas; breeds in low-lying tundra.

Preferred environments

During migration and winter, prefers sheltered coastal areas with extensive intertidal mudflats, sandy beaches, and shallow brackish lagoons. Breeding habitat is wet Arctic tundra, often near pools and marshes.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, but may also feed at night during migration or on tidal flats.

Feeding habits

Forages actively, often probing deep into soft mud with its decurved bill, sometimes submerging its head. Feeds primarily on small invertebrates, including polychaete worms, crustaceans, molluscs, and insect larvae. Often feeds in shallow water, sometimes 'sewing' its bill through the substrate.

Social behavior

Highly gregarious, especially outside the breeding season. Forms large flocks, often mixed with other wader species, during migration and in wintering grounds. On breeding grounds, they are more dispersed but may form loose colonies.

Flight pattern

Strong, direct flight with rapid wingbeats. Often flies in tight, coordinated flocks during migration. Shows a prominent white rump in flight.

Migration pattern

A long-distance migratory species. Breeds in the high Arctic of Siberia and undertakes extensive migrations to wintering grounds in Africa, southern Asia, and Australasia. Migration routes are complex, with birds from different breeding areas using distinct flyways. They are known for making long, non-stop flights.

Territoriality

Males establish small territories on the breeding grounds, defending them with display flights and calls. Less territorial outside the breeding season.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

June to July

Nesting habits

Nests are shallow scrapes on dry hummocks in wet tundra, often lined with leaves, moss, and lichen. Both parents participate in nest site selection and construction.

Clutch size

Usually 4 eggs

Egg description

Typically 4 eggs, pear-shaped, olive-buff to greenish-brown, heavily spotted and blotched with dark brown or black, particularly at the broader end.

Incubation period

Approximately 20-22 days

Fledging period

Chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. They fledge in about 18-20 days.

Parental care

Both parents incubate the eggs, but the female often departs before the chicks fledge, leaving the male to care for the young until they are independent.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Scan Wader Flocks. Curlew Sandpipers often associate with other small waders like Dunlin. Carefully scan mixed flocks for the distinctive bill shape and, in breeding season, the red plumage.
2. Check Tidal Areas. Visit coastal sites during falling or rising tides, as this exposes mudflats where they feed. They are often found at the water's edge.
3. Listen for Calls. Their distinctive 'chirrup' call can often alert you to their presence, especially when they are flying overhead or are hidden by vegetation.
4. Observe Feeding Behavior. Their deep-probing, 'sewing machine' feeding action with the decurved bill is a good identification clue.
5. Patience and Optics. Waders can be distant and subtle. Use good binoculars and a spotting scope for detailed observation of plumage and bill shape.

Similar species

Quick facts

Bill:

Long, slender, distinctly downcurved

Breeding Plumage:

Brick-red underparts

Non-breeding Plumage:

Pale grey above, white below, prominent white supercilium

Flight Mark:

Prominent white rump

Migration:

Long-distance Arctic breeder

Conservation Status:

Near Threatened (due to population declines)

Fun facts

• The 'curlew' in its name refers to its decurved bill, reminiscent of a true curlew, though it is much smaller.
• Curlew Sandpipers undertake one of the longest migratory journeys of any wader, traveling from the Siberian Arctic to southern Africa or Australasia.
• They are known to occasionally hybridize with Dunlin, producing offspring sometimes referred to as 'Cox's Sandpiper' (Calidris x paramelanotos), though this is rare.
• Population declines are a significant concern, leading to its 'Near Threatened' status, primarily due to habitat loss and degradation along its migratory flyways.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Charadriiformes

Family

Scolopacidae

Genus

Calidris

Species

Calidris ferruginea

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