Curlew Sandpiper

Scientific name: Calidris ferruginea

Did you know: The Curlew Sandpiper, with its impressive globe-trotting migratory habits, can journey from the Arctic tundra all the way to Africa, Asia, and Australasia!

What Do Curlew Sandpipers Look Like? (how to identify them)

Resembling the Dunlin but with an elegant twist, Curlew Sandpipers are distinguished by their longer, downward-curving bills and their striking white rump in flight.

In autumn, they exhibit a cleaner, paler look with a distinctive white eyestripe, and in spring and summer, they transform with deep chestnut breeding plumage.

Differences Between Male And Female Curlew Sandpipers

The males and females of Curlew Sandpipers share a similar appearance, with subtle variations in size and the intensity of their breeding plumage.

What Do Curlew Sandpipers Eat?

In their quest for food, Curlew Sandpipers probe soft mud with their long bills, feasting on snails, worms, shrimps, and other small invertebrates.

Where Do Curlew Sandpipers Live? (inc. migration info)

Breeding in the remote tundra of Arctic Siberia, Curlew Sandpipers are avid travellers. They migrate to warmer regions like Africa, Asia, and Australasia during winter. In the UK, they are most often observed in autumn as passage migrants.

Bird Calls & Songs (the unique voices of Curlew Sandpipers)

Their call is a soft, rolling ‘chirrup’, easily identifiable among the sounds of coastal and wetland areas. This gentle chirruping is a lovely soundtrack to their habitats.

Fun Curlew Sandpiper Facts (kid friendly)

Curlew Sandpipers can travel thousands of miles during migration.
They are named after their curving bill, which looks like a little scythe.
In the summer, they dress up in a beautiful rusty-red plumage.
Despite their small size, they’re adventurous travellers, journeying between continents.
These birds are experts at finding food hidden in the mud.
They are social birds, often seen hanging out with other waders like the Dunlin.
Their white rump is a flashy feature, especially visible when they fly.