What does the Curlew Sandpiper eat?

The Curlew Sandpiper's diet shapes where and when you'll find it. Understanding what it eats helps you predict where to look.

Diet overview

Carnivore (primarily invertebrates)

How it forages

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.

When it feeds

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

Explore the Curlew Sandpiper