Eurasian Whimbrel

Eurasian Whimbrel is similar in colour to Curlew but is well distinguished by the colour of upper-head which id plain black-brownish with longitudinal not broad but well expressive median pale strip. From all other parts the brownish crown boarded by the pale supercilliums. Rear-back and rump are white with dark-brown spots. Uppertail is white with broad dark core-streaks; the longest of them are cross-striped. Flanks, abdomen and undertail often have chaotic transversal pattern. Axilla feathers are white with narrow dark transversal strips. Tail feathers are grey with dark-brown transversal pattern. Bill is black, lags are bluish-grey. Eyes are brownish. Juveniles are similar on adult but browner. Size: wing 225-270 mm, bill 65-90 mm.

Whimbrel is very rare breeding and common passage migrant. It inhabits river meadows, but in Siberia it lives on marsh shores of lakes. On migration it occurs on grassy shores of lakes and rivers, or near salty lakes in steppe and saline areas. In spring Whimbrel appears in April - early May, latest birds were observed in end of May - early June. Whimbre migrates singly or in small flocks numbering up to 50 birds. The one only nest found at May 25 1986 had 2 eggs and 2 chicks. The copulated birds recorded at May 21 1982 close to Chelkar lake. In autumn migrated birds recorded in July - August, some birds linger up to end of September - early October.