Eurasian Whimbrel vs Eurasian Curlew: 3 keys of identification
Eurasian Whimbrel
When birding in Algarve, we can see many bird species. Most of them are easy to identify, but when it comes to shorebirds, some can be tricky. This is case for the Eurasian Whimbrel and the Eurasian Curlew. Depending on the distance, the position of the bird, and the light conditions, it is not always easy to make the difference, especially when you are not used to see these birds everyday.
So how to tell the difference between the Eurasian Whimbrel and the Eurasian Curlew? Here are the 3 main visual differences that will help you identify them in the field:
the bill
Eurasian Whimbrel has a shorter and more downward-curved bill. It is more abruptly bent at the tip. Eurasian Curlew has a longer and less downward-curved bill. The curve is even and continuous throughout the length of the bill. Nevertheless, bill length vary with sex and age, so taking the bill length as the only identification key can be risky.
the crown and eyebrow
Eurasian Whimbrel has a striped crown. Eurasian Curlew has a plain crown. So there is no head pattern in the plumage. Eurasian Whimbrel has a pronounced eyebebrow. Eurasian Curlew has a paler eyebrow.
the size
Eurasian Whimbrel is smaller, with a length of about 37cm to 45cm, and a wingspan of about 78cm to 88cm. Eurasian Curlew is larger, with a length of about 48cm to 57cm, and a wingspan of about 89cm to 106cm. The Eurasian Curlew is the largest wading bird in Europe.
Ideally, it is the combination of these criteria that will help you be certain of the species you are looking at.
To sum up, here is a picture of each species so you can easily compare the two birds.
Eurasian Whimbrel : shorter bill, curved downward mostly at the tip, pronounced eyebrow and crown.
Eurasian Curlew : longer bill, continuously bent downward, less contrasted head plumage.
Looking at these 2 pictures, it is pretty easy to identify each species. Now, what if viewing conditions are less optimal?
Here, on this beautiful sunny day guiding along the Ria Formosa in Algarve, the light conditions made it impossible to see the contrast in the head plumage. And distance made it hard to judge the actual size of the bird. So it is only the bill, short and curved down mostly at the end, that gives it away : this is an Eurasian Whimbrel.
Here the position of the bird makes it impossible to look at the bill and see precisely the body size. So it is the crown and eyebrow that allows us to identify the Eurasian Whimbrel.
To go deeper in understanding the distinction between the Eurasian Whimbrel and the Eurasian Curlew, we invite you to watch this video from the British Trust of Ortnithology.
In Algarve, both the Eurasian Whimbrel and the Eurasian Curlew can be seen all year long. If you are interested in seeing these birds in the field in Algarve with us, feel free to contact us.
Salva Fauna
