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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CLIX
Field-journal plate: Eurasian Whimbrel
The Eurasian Whimbrel plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CLIX

Eurasian Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopus

Scolopacidae · Taxon 3901

Length37–47 cm (15–19 in)
Wingspan75–90 cm (30–35 in)
Weight270–493 g (9.5–17.4 oz)

Field marks

  1. Long, dark bill with a strong downward curve and subtle kink
  2. Dark crown stripes divided by a pale central stripe, with a pale eyebrow
  3. Dark eye crossed by a narrow dark eye-line
  4. Gray-brown upperparts with pale-edged, scalloped feather patterning
  5. Paler buff-gray underparts marked with fine dark streaks
  6. Long gray legs, long pointed wings, and a short finely barred tail

HabitatBreeds on open tundra, moorland, and low wet grassland; during migration and the nonbreeding season uses mudflats, sandy beaches, rocky shores, saltmarshes, estuaries, and other coastal wetlands.

BehaviorWalks over exposed flats and shallow shorelines, probing soft mud or wet sand and picking invertebrates and small crabs from the surface; often gathers in flocks outside the breeding season.

Palette

cool gray-browndark chocolate brownwarm tancream-whiteslate gray