As summer approaches, many birders eagerly anticipate the return of the waders—a group of birds known for being notoriously difficult to distinguish. Though they come in various shapes and sizes, waders often look quite similar to one another, even across different species.
Let’s start with the largest of the group, the Eurasian Curlew. The species most similar to the Curlew is the Eurasian Whimbrel.
The most noticeable difference between the two is their size. The Eurasian Curlew averages 55 cm in length and weighs between 570–900 g, whereas the Eurasian Whimbrel averages 43 cm and weighs 400–580 g. The Curlew also has a much longer bill compared to the Whimbrel.
A key feature of the Eurasian Whimbrel is the pronounced eyebrow that extends well beyond the back of the eye, sometimes forming a darker stripe down the center of the head. In contrast, the Eurasian Curlew has paler, more washed-out eyebrows that don’t extend far past the eye.
When it comes to the underwing, the Eurasian Curlew shows mostly white feathers with neat streaks on the chest and flanks. On the other hand, the regular subspecies of Eurasian Whimbrel displays messy barring on its underwing.
One tip for birders is to learn the call of the Eurasian Whimbrel, a common sound when they are in flight. Recognizing their call can be a quick giveaway to identifying them.
Get your hands on the region's best book for identifying Waders, 'Chamberlain's Waders - A definitive Guide to Southern Africa's Shorebirds'
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