Curlew vs Whimbrel: How to Tell Them Apart

The Curlew is the biggest bird that breeds in the region; it has a long, downcurved bill, longer than the Whimbrel's, and long legs. The sexes are similar but generally, the female's bill is longer. Plumage is grey-brown and is streaky and dotted on the neck and underparts. The flanks have arrow-shaped barring and the head is plain compared to the Whimbrel's distinctive head markings. Juvenile resembles adult, but is more uniformly buffish-brown with thinly streaked neck and breast. When flying, the upperparts are darkest on the outside of the wings, the white rump makes a 'V' shape up to the back; the tail is barred brown.

Breeding grounds are most commonly upland moorland that is boggy and grassy, hilly fields, and coastal marshes. During winter, tends primarily towards coasts, particularly estuaries, and the region has some traditional wetland wintering sites.

Most common call is a 'cur-lew', which is where its name is derived. Has a melancholy, gurgling song-flight on breeding grounds.

A large wader that is a third smaller than the Curlew; its legs are relatively shorter and its bill is more straight with a steep bend near the tip. The sexes resemble each other and the head markings are distinct; the crown is pale with two dark, lateral bands. The eye has a buff stripe above it and a dark line through it, and the cheeks and throat are pale. The plumage is grey-brown, darkest at the centre of the back, and darkly streaked on the neck and breast. Juveniles resemble adults, though their buffish plumage is a warmer tone. When flying, may appear like Curlew; the upperwings are dark, the tail is barred and in contrast to the rump, which makes a white 'V' shape between the wings.

Breeding occurs only in Scotland in the region, predominately in Shetland. Breeding territories are usually on boggy moorland, short heather and grassland. Otherwise is found mostly close to the coast, particularly near estuaries, coastal grasslands and saltmarshes.

Has a seven note whistling call that gets lower in pitch between the first and last part: 'pe, pe, pe, pe, pe, pe, pe'. Utters a low gurgling call when on breeding grounds.