Bird Guide

Bristle-thighed Curlew vs Hudsonian Whimbrel

Bristle-thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis)

Bristle-thighed Curlew

Numenius tahitiensis

Large400 gGrassland

The bristle-thighed curlew has a long, decurved bill and bristled feathers at the base of the legs. Its length is about 40–44 cm (16–17 in) and wingspan about 84 cm (33 in) (females averaging bigger than males). The size and shape are the same as the whimbrel's, and the plumage is similar, spotted brown on their upper body with a light belly and rust-colored or buffy tail. The bigger buff spots on the upper body, unmarked light belly and barely marked flanks, tail color, and pale buffy-orange rump distinguish it from both whimbrels.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Bryan Harry/NPS · Public domain
Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus)

Hudsonian Whimbrel

Numenius hudsonicus

This is a fairly large wader, though mid-sized as a member of the curlew genus. The English name is imitative of the bird's call. The genus name Numenius is from Ancient Greek noumenios, a bird mentioned by Hesychius. It is associated with the curlews because it appears to be derived from neos, "new" and mene, "moon", referring to the crescent-shaped bill. It is 37–47 cm (15–19 in) in length, 75–90 cm (30–35 in) in wingspan, and 270–493 g (9.5–17.4 oz; 0.595–1.087 lb) in weight.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Hudsonian Whimbrel
Recorded by Doug Hynes · Call · "the Fen", near Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Manitoba, Canada · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC0

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Bristle-thighed Curlew and Hudsonian Whimbrel.