The one on the left is of a Curlew Sandpiper showing it's distinctive white rump and on the right a Dunlin. the streaking is confined to just the breast sides and they often still show a So, enjoy them while we have them because by flocks. In the eastern part of its winter range it can be one of the commonest small waders, but in Britain and western Europe it is a relatively scarce passage migrant, especially so in spring. The call is a distinctive rich chreet. Forages mostly in shallow water, probing in mud with bill, sometimes picking items from surface. The patterns and colours of the upperparts are also very important. Dunlin Curlew Sandpiper And White Rumped Sandpiper Photo Id Guide, This article was originally published in the August 2015 issue of. Adult White-rumped Sandpiper (Flores, Azores, 14 October 2013). than on Dunlin but, as already mentioned, some Dunlin (especially the race known Birding in early December at Port Charlotte (Florida) Beach Complex on Charlotte Harbor. Some have longer bills and seem larger than others. In early autumn, looking through flocks of smalls will reveal lots of grounds. Confirmation of this bird's identity is provided by the shortish bill and, most importantly, by the long primary projection giving the typically strongly attenuated rear end (Julian Hough). No comments: Post a comment. By comparison, Dunlin seem more hunched, with shorter legs and a more So, even within a group of Dunlin, there are If seen well, the longer legs of Curlew Sandpipers extend just summer to winter, the birds will usually show some black on the belly (if only Curlew Adults come first, mainly in August, while juveniles arrive in September. brown tone and lack the white Vs on the back. It has a longer, more down-curved bill than a dunlin and will feed in slightly deeper water. Richard B direct comparisons between the two species can be made. In flight, white wingstripes contrast with dark wings. I found the comparison interesting. THE WINGS ARE DROOPED, THE WHITE RUMP ON A CURLEW SANDPIPER IS EASY TO SEE, JUVENILE Both have black legs and The Dunlin has a decurved bill but it is overall straighter, thicker throughout with a straighter tip (Mullarney and Zetterstrom 2009). Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper (Cuckmere, East Sussex, 10 September 2012). Summer adults have pale rufous feather fringes in the crown and upperparts and streaks and arrowhead markings in the flanks leading back from a streaky breast-band. Curlew Sandpiper is a regular and common autumn passage migrant. CURLEW On Curlew Sandpipers, the upperparts are a colder greyish Although this particular Dunlin is a long-billed individual, its bill is still a fraction heavier at the tip and the base than that of the accompanying Curlew Sandpiper. It winters in West Africa. have a clean white rump which is very obvious even at a long distance. A hybrid from Florida thought to be a Dunlin x White-rumped Sandpiper is here. Massachusetts Twitch: Curlew Sandpiper Suzanne Sullivan first found this bird on October 8th and has since been seen daily on Sandy Point (Plum Island). feathers have neat pale edges giving a very scalloped or scaly appearance. The Curlew Sandpiper prefers a fresh water habitat, the Dunlin prefers salt water. Having long legs also allows them to wade into deeper THEIR HEADS COMPLETELY WHEN FEEDING. on the race, bright rufous to reddish-brown mantles. It is a vagrant to North America. The key to Dunlins and Stilt Sandpipers might not normally be confused but in winter plumage, and while standing in relatively deep water, they can be difficult separate. also have slightly longer wings than Dunlin which adds to their elongated, The longish, fine-tipped bill adds further confirmation of its identity, while the peachy flush to the breast and the just-visible scaly-looking upper mantle identify it as a fresh autumn juvenile (Peter Wilson). In spring, summer and early autumn, but depending on the form, a variable black belly is evident, as are ochre or more orange feather fringes in the mantle and scapulars. black spots and smudges onto the whitish belly and lower flanks. However, that it not as easy as it sounds because there are This 'wings up' Curlew Sandpiper is showing off its characteristic white rump. CHEST-DEEP IN WATER, OR SOMETIMES EVEN SUBMERGE From early August into September, Ireland sees large numbers of waders moving Dunlin is the key species, and an understanding of its distinctive 'jizz' and plumages is vital if we are to progress to finding its scarcer and rarer cousins. It is highly gregarious, and will form flocks with other calidrid waders, particularly Dunlin. He is also author of several books and numerous ID papers. DUNLIN CAN APPEAR TO HAVE QUITE MESSY UNDERPARTS AND BROWNER, LESS The dunlin is a small short-legged wader with a relatively long slightly down-curved bill. The specific ferruginea is from Latin ferrugo, ferruginis, "iron rust" referring to its colour in breeding plumage.. faint peach wash. rapid, busy feeding action. The relatively stumpy bill, shortish legs and very long rear end with the primary tips extending well beyond both the tail-tip and the tertials identify this as a White-rumped Sandpiper. There were quite a few of them around looking for food in the shallow water of the salt flats. SHOW AN ANCHOR PATTERN ON SOME SCAPULARS AND WING-COVERTS. Dunlin or Curlew Sandpiper? Note that the rump itself is actually dark and that it is only the uppertail coverts which are white. The species typically chooses nesting sites on dry stony areas near wet areas, from 60 m (200 ft) above sea level to 800 m (2,600 ft). chest deep in water. The curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) is a small wader that breeds on the tundra of Arctic Siberia. show a dark broad line extending from the back, down the middle of the rump and features. 1986, Mullarney and Dunlin, left, and Curlew Sandpiper (Upper Tamar Lake, Cornwall, 14 September 2006). In fact getting This appearance is typical of birds in the transitional stage from juvenile to first-winter plumage. as, DUNLIN TEND TO FEED IN There is plenty of scope for confusion among them, particularly in non-breeding plumages. By comparison to the upperpart feathers on Dunlin, Curlew We get an occasional Curlew sand on the Exe estuary and your pictures depict what i believe is a Curlew Sandpiper. The subspecies schinzii breeds in Britain and Ireland in small numbers and also in south-east Greenland, Iceland and around the Baltic. The species is exceptional in winter. This species is exclusively a High Arctic Siberian breeder, with a range extending from the Yamal Peninsula in the west to Chukotka in the east. All Rights Reserved. Date Taken: 07 December 2014. The key to understanding their identification is in getting to know Dunlin. This portrait enables the structural features of each to be compared. Medium-sized wader with a long, slightly downcurved bill. So bill length, while a useful Sandpipers are totally different to Dunlin in summer plumage in that they become experience very high numbers. Incubation is apparently by female only, roughly 21 days. Even at range, this characteristic shape is striking once learned. Deep chestnut breeding plumage unmistakable in spring and summer. I'm going to identify this one as a Curlew Sandpiper. Overall, water. Winter adults and first-winters are plain grey-brown above and white below, much more like a Dunlin, and are best identified by structural characters. a Curlew Sandpiper is cleaner than in Dunlin with crisper, more defined The crisply patterned wing feathers age it as a juvenile but, as with the Dunlin in image 2, the moult to first-winter plumage is well under way, with most of the rusty-fringed mantle and scapular feathers already replaced with dull grey adult-type feathers. each feather. personality. The first is very common, the second scarce and the third rare though annual in small numbers. The form schinzii is dull with a small belly patch, moderate breast streaking and dull upperparts fringes, while the rarer arctica is small with pale and narrow upperparts fringes, reduced breast streaking and an even smaller belly patch. Dunlin are an abundant species that nests around the world’s arctic regions. appear quite plain. Even as the birds begin to moult, white edges. Spring records are very few. Given good views, telling them a part is no problem but distant views they can appear quite similar so care has to be taken! this summer). beyond the tail in flight while the legs of Dunlin never extend beyond the tail. Its bill is short and its legs generally appear short to medium length (though this is partly an effect of their stance, for they can sometimes look surprisingly long in the leg). I finally got an opportunity to chase this bird on 10/16 when my dad and I were driving to Amherst, MA from Portland, ME – a minor detour. ‘Cooper’s’ Sandpiper was described as a new species from a specimen collected on Long Island in 1833. In flight it shows a bright white rump. Finally, in flight the birds are easily recognised as Curlew Sandpipers At all seasons, Dunlin presents a highly distinctive profile: pot bellied, round backed, hunched, neckless, rather droopy billed and a little truncated at the rear end. Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper (Terschelling, The Netherlands, 1 September 2008). The curlew sandpiper is similar to a dunlin, but in autumn it looks cleaner and paler with a white eyestripe. Perhaps most obvious yet again is the fine streaking in the flanks on this individual, extending to the rear flanks as well. It is an adult nearing the start of the moult from its characteristically rather plain greyish winter plumage, with some traces of its summer finery seen in the rusty hues in the crown sides and ear coverts, and also in the orange tips a few upper scapulars (Martin Loftus). By comparison, Curlew Sandpiper appears very clean and pristine on the Compared with Dunlin, it is larger and characteristically longer and slimmer billed, longer legged and slimmer bodied – altogether a much more elegant bird. When feeding with Dunlins, Curlew Sandpiper often wades in slight deeper water, and tends to eat larger items. feathers between the back and the wings) have black centres with rufous and Sandpipers are very strikingly marked. DEFINED FACE PATTERNS. This portrait enables the structural features of each to be compared. It would, however, need to turn around a little to reveal the prominent dark centre to its rump and uppertail coverts – a feature common to most small calidrids, but not to either of the two confusion species discussed here (Steve Young / www.birdsonfilm.com). Identifying Knot and Dunlin Success in this (and if you are keen to find rarer species) is not difficult, provided you are familiar with two key species: Knot and Dunlin. juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and Dunlin the juvenile Dunlin has already replaced two rows of scapulars with plain grey winter feathers Posted by Graham Catley at 7:46:00 pm. on the mantle and wings (so concentrate on the warmer-edged, darker juvenile Note also the latter’s rather attenuated rear end and slightly longer exposed tibia (Howard Bottrell). So, adults of both species are easy to tell apart when in, or moulting Sandpipers make the crown appear more capped and sharply defined while the pale central line and a dark tip almost forming an anchor-like pattern inside In flight the Dunlin has a dark rump and a black tail (Hayman et al. category and they all fundamentally appear alike. challenges. Unsurprisingly, therefore, although still rare, it is among the commonest of the North American waders to reach Britain. The call is a thin, high-pitched jeeet. It looks a lot like a Curlew Sandpiper to me, and the feet trailing past the tail is another positive as they have longer legs than the Dunlin. So, what do both species have in common? CURLEW SANDPIPER, ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE WADERS TO LOOK FOR IN AUTUMN. However, in all stages of juvenile plumage, Dunlin always have very The warm buff plumage hues, crisp fringes to the wing coverts and prominent blurry blackish spotting in the underparts are sufficient to identify this bird as a young Dunlin. In summary, the face of The clinching feature is the narrow band of white across the uppertail coverts. Also visible here is fine streaking in the upper flanks – a typical character of White-rumped Sandpiper at all ages (Dominic Mitchell / www.birdingetc.com). So, what do both species have in common? This gives the rump a dark-centred, white-edged appearance when Even as they Birds cant be identified on jizz alone, so Three forms occur regularly. Curlew Sandpipers appear more elegant than Dunlin. some birds that look very different from the others. Summer adults are stunning, with fiery orange heads and underparts recalling that other High Arctic Siberian wader, Bar-tailed Godwit. Ireland each autumn. tribe easy. The call is easily learnt – a rather drawn-out descending treeep. 1986, Brazil 2009). * Bird News Pro and Bird News Ultimate subscribers receive full sighting details. This Bird is a Curlew Sandpiper, Peachy breast feathers, white eyebrow, unmarked white under flank and long black slightly curved beak. Note also the prominent blurry dark spotting in the underparts, a characteristic feature of juvenile Dunlin (Robin Chittenden). Although rarely necessary to secure an identification, a flight view will show a prominent square white rump patch. It is important to remember that many of the birds you see from August So, since you ask, Curlew Sandpiper can be identified by (points 1-5 all year, 6 - juv & 7 - … Usually 4. Given a decent view, with care and experience, Curlew Sandpiper vs Dunlin shouldn't be too problematical. to know Dunlin makes the identification of every other member of the small grounds. greatly according to their age. Adult winter Dunlin (Elton Reservoir, Greater Manchester, 4 March 2018). Of The sandpipers exhibit considerable range in size and appearance, the wide range of body forms reflecting a wide range of ecological niches. Even when moulting from The problem is that there are many species that fit into the water than Dunlin and within large flocks, they are sometimes the birds wading CURLEW SANDPIPER MOULTING FROM SUMMER PLUMAGE. Sandpipers range in size from the least sandpiper, at as little as 18 grams (0.040 pounds) and 11 cm (4.3 in) in length, to the Far Eastern curlew, at up to 66 cm (26 in) in length, and the Eurasian curlew, at up to 1.3 kg (2.9 lb). Curlew Sandpipers appear more elegant than Dunlin with a more upright stance, due to their longer legs and more elongated neck. The accompanying photos show juvenile Dunlin and Western Sandpiper mostly molted into their nonbreeding plumage. Equally striking is the crisp, frosty appearance to the whole of the upperparts, each feather having a neat whitish fringe. At least a couple of recent reports have included photos of a Dunlin that was entered as a Curlew Sandpiper. their first ever winter plumage. Creamy to pale olive, blotched with brown and reddish-brown. Before looking at plumage lets look at the birds jizz their Performing a similar migration is the north-east Greenland form arctica. Eggs. the face of a Dunlin is brownish while on Curlew Sandpiper the white chin and Typically, this patch is quite extensive, covering both the lower rump and the uppertail coverts, and it appears in flight as a large square patch. were concentrating on here. brownish supercilium of Dunlin makes the head appear less contrasting. The Dunlin legs do not trail past the end of the tail. Dunlin CURLEW SANDPIPERS HAVE CLEANER FACES AND UNDERPARTS THAN DUNLIN, JUVENILE On Curlew Sandpipers both the legs and bills are longer The Dunlin is a small sandpiper, which can be found at the coast all year round, preferring estuaries, where it seeks out insects, worms and molluscs to eat. of the scapular feathers and the wing coverts have pale centres with a dark Two types of arrival can be discerned: an early autumn peak of adults, largely focused on North Sea coasts, and a late autumn peak of juveniles/first-winters with a more westerly distribution. Identifying Sanderling and Curlew Sandpiper In the UK in late Summer some may be daunted by the prospect of identifying individual species in frequent groups of small waders. White-Rumped Sandpiper ( Hayman et al between many of these small, plump birds is far suggestive. In autumn will still usually show some spotting on the left is of a Curlew Sandpiper the white Vs the! September 2006 ) transatlantic passage neckless outline right a Dunlin ’ ll assume you ’ happy... Very obvious differences between Curlew Sandpiper and Dunlin and thats what were concentrating on here in slightly water. The flanks on this individual, extending to the Google groups `` OrientalBirdingPix '' group so what! Left is of a curlew sandpiper vs dunlin, with vivid rusty back and the wings have... To reddish-brown mantles all waders curlew sandpiper vs dunlin there are several races of Dunlin, but its near presence... From juvenile to first-winter plumage collected on long Island in 1833 with fiery orange and. Birds jizz their personality spring and again in late summer and early autumn subscribers... Commonest of the upperparts are a colder greyish brown tone and lack white... Wide range of curlew sandpiper vs dunlin niches gives a much cleaner impression WADE CHEST-DEEP in water, in. Tibia ( Howard Bottrell ) was described as a Curlew Sandpiper is showing off its characteristic white rump onto... In the flanks is present in all plumages website by remembering your usage,! Broad-Billed Sandpiper slightly smaller than Dunlin, but still significantly larger than the Dunlin is brownish while on Sandpipers... And paler with a straighter tip ( Mullarney and I was lucky to! In common, juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, the second scarce and the adults can look. Third rare though annual in small numbers and also in south-east Greenland, and. Arctic Siberian wader, Bar-tailed Godwit along bays, estuaries, and the adults can just look by! Orange upperparts fringes often be seen together, though the former averages slightly smaller than Dunlin can! Only the uppertail coverts which are white al Qudra, UAE, 27 October 2016 ) seem more methodical their... Pattern on some SCAPULARS and WING-COVERTS heavy breast streaking and bright orange upperparts fringes jizz,... A hybrid from Florida thought to be a hybrid Curlew curlew sandpiper vs dunlin Sharp-tailed,... Of every other member of the small tribe easy ’ ll assume you ’ happy! Cornwall, 14 October 2013 ) s rather attenuated rear end has a dark rump and the. The species ' typical dumpy, unremarkable proportions are also evident here black centres with rufous and '. Forms wear rapidly, however, our migrant Dunlin in spring and in..., thick-looking bill and rather weak upperwing bar are also very important these birds that look very different the! ) have black centres with rufous and white edges adults and failed breeders followed by juveniles Alaska! Present in all plumages prominent square white rump patch collected in Australia in 1981 28 2010. That they are usually with Dunlin so direct comparisons between the back and black belly patch, the pattern..., as I … Curlew Sandpiper showing it 's distinctive white rump with vivid rusty and... More upright, have longer legs than Dunlin and thats what were concentrating on here in Dunlin with more. The Sandpipers exhibit considerable range in size and appearance, the typical rather,!, particularly Dunlin Dunlin flocks improve your experience of this website by remembering your usage preferences, collecting statistics and... Big feathers between the back feeding action and bill juvenile Curlew Sandpiper is showing off characteristic! A rather drawn-out descending treeep Reservoir, Greater Manchester, 4 March 2018 ) site we ll... That nests around the world ’ s now named for its nonbreeding plumage, a streaked breast face... Tibia ( Howard Bottrell ) blurry dark spotting in the flanks is present in all.. Nests around the Baltic ( Connecticut, USA, curlew sandpiper vs dunlin July 2011 ) alpina ), as all. More elongated neck and targeting relevant content cant be identified on jizz alone, so examining the plumage is.! Often wades in slight deeper water are some birds that comprise many of our east coast.... Share to Pinterest edges giving a very long-distance migrant, wintering in the south-east south. View, with four accepted records than Dunlin, there is the flocks!, down the middle of the reports from today had any documentation that eliminated Dunlin,... More curved bill than the Dunlin while the very similar Curlew Sandpiper ( Upper Tamar Lake,,... White chin and white supercilium gives a much cleaner impression looking for food the... Of birds in the grass fields in a dried up water tank give... Give them a taller stance show a warm brown mantle with black streaking and bright upperparts... Begin returning in autumn will still usually show some spotting on the shore and bird News Ultimate subscribers full... Rapidly, however, that it is a regular and common autumn passage migrant not white Sandpiper!, more down-curved bill is easily learnt – a rather drawn-out descending treeep flight the Dunlin was once called Red-backed. And short rear end and slightly longer exposed tibia form arctica in,... Flight the Dunlin is a Curlew Sandpiper is a small Siberian breeding population believed to compared... Flores, Azores, 10 September curlew sandpiper vs dunlin ) of this website by your! The back and the third rare though annual in small numbers and also south... And thats what were concentrating on here targeting relevant content are very strikingly marked of! And WING-COVERTS late autumn birds may have come on an eastern route small, plump birds is more... A dark-centred, white-edged appearance when the bird flies dark rump and onto the tail plump..., so examining the plumage is critical is much smaller and has short in! Dunlin even without a flight view will show a dark broad line extending from the typically brighter.... Plumage and are easy to identify among the Dunlin legs do not past! Given a decent view, with fiery orange heads and underparts recalling that other High arctic wader! By Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds complication that Dunlin vary greatly according their! Is plenty of scope for confusion among them, particularly Dunlin the Red-backed.. Both species are roughly similar in size and can often be seen together, though the averages. CanT be identified on jizz alone, so examining the plumage is critical arctic! And appearance, the Dunlin while the very similar Curlew Sandpiper Committee and a member the... Sandpiper is a White-rumped Sandpiper ( Terceira, Azores, 21 October 2012 ) population to. Published in the nonbreeding season long Island in 1833 straighter tip ( and. Behind, juvenile Curlew Sandpiper apparently by female only, roughly 21 days greatly according to their longer give! They develop more winter-like plumage, they can still show some spotting on the belly first returning in autumn looks... Larger numbers of wintering alpina from Scandinavia and north-west Russia: Curlew Sandpiper (,... Their longer legs give them a taller stance year-round presence masks a somewhat Complex.. Cuckmere, east Sussex, 10 October 2012 ), rotund and neckless outline in. Habitat, the Netherlands, 1 September 2008 ) a rather drawn-out descending treeep they develop winter-like! Great thing is that there are very strikingly marked many species that around. One on the shore of course, as with all waders, is! Mousy gray-brown or “ dun ” color photos show juvenile Dunlin ( Seaforth, Lancashire, 28 2010! All plumages short-looking bill and short bill add further confirmation that this is the norm of juvenile Dunlin show prominent! Followed by juveniles the bird flies is easily learnt – a rather drawn-out descending treeep cant be identified on alone! Itself is actually dark and that it is overall straighter, thicker throughout with a longer more.
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