Across wetlands, coastlines, and open landscapes throughout Europe, two elegant wading birds are often confused with one another: the Curlew and the Whimbrel. At first glance, they appear remarkably alike. Both have long legs, muted grey-brown plumage, and distinctive down-curving bills designed for probing mud and sand. Yet with careful observation, these two species can be reliably distinguished. Understanding the key differences begins with familiarity, and the Curlew is usually the easier of the two to become familiar with.
Eurasian Curlew
The Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) is widespread across much of Europe and is a familiar sight and sound in many regions. It is a large wader, approaching a gull in overall size. During winter, Curlews gather in significant numbers along coasts, estuaries, and wetlands. In the breeding season, they disperse across a wide range of habitats, including grasslands, wetlands, moorlands, and upland areas.
In all seasons, the Curlew’s plumage is relatively understated. The upperparts are grey-brown with fine dark streaking, fading into a pale underside. The face is largely plain, and the legs are strong, medium-length, and grey. The most obvious feature is the bill, which is long and smoothly curved along its entire length. Although bill length can vary depending on age and sex, the even, gentle curve is a consistent and reliable feature.
Eurasian Whimbrel
The Eurasian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is noticeably smaller than the Curlew, closer in size to a Common Gull. Across much of Europe, it is less frequently encountered. Whimbrels breed mainly in northern and Arctic regions, nesting on open bogs, moorlands, and tundra. During migration in spring and autumn, however, many pass through Europe, stopping briefly at coastal and wetland sites.
Field guides often highlight the dark stripes on the Whimbrel’s crown, but in real conditions, these markings can be difficult to see unless views are close and light is good. As a result, Whimbrels can sometimes appear quite plain-faced. When the crown stripes and pale eyebrow are visible, identification is straightforward, but these features should not be relied upon alone.
Overall, the Whimbrel often gives the impression of being a smaller, darker version of the Curlew.
One of the most useful visual differences between the two species lies in the bill. The Curlew’s bill curves smoothly and evenly from base to tip. In contrast, the Whimbrel’s bill appears relatively straight for much of its length, with a sharper downward bend near the tip. This difference in shape is often more reliable than judging absolute bill length.
Flight Differences
In flight, Curlews and Whimbrels share a similar appearance, with dark upper-parts, a white rump, and a V-shaped pattern across the back. When size or bill shape is difficult to judge, wing pattern can help. Curlews show a gradual transition in color from the body to the darker outer wing feathers.
Whimbrels, on the other hand, show a much stronger contrast, with the outer wings appearing distinctly darker than the inner wings. Flight style also differs. Whimbrels have faster, more rapid wingbeats, while Curlews fly more slowly and deliberately.
Vocalization
Sound is often the most reliable way to separate these species, especially when views are distant. Curlews are vocal birds, calling both on the ground and in flight. Their best-known call is a long, plaintive whistle that carries across open landscapes and is strongly associated with wetlands and moorland. Contact calls are usually single, drawn-out notes, sometimes repeated slowly in a short series.
Eurasian Curlew Calls:
Whimbrels produce some similar sounds but also have a distinctive call of their own. It is a firmer, more confident whistle, often repeated rapidly or delivered as a short trill. Once learned, this call can reveal migrating Whimbrels’ high overhead, even when they are difficult to see. An old traditional name for the species, Seven Whistler, reflects this vocal behavior.
Eurasian Whimbrel Calls:
On the breeding grounds, the songs differ as well. The Curlew’s song rises in a series of whistles that increase in pace before flowing into a rich, bubbling trill. The Whimbrel’s song begins similarly but then settles into a rapid repetition on a single note, lacking the flowing quality of the Curlew’s song.
By paying attention to size, bill shape, flight pattern, and voice, it becomes clear that these two birds, though similar at first glance, are distinct species with their own identities. Learning these differences not only improves identification skills but also deepens appreciation of the diversity found across Europe’s wetlands and wild landscapes.
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References
- Lovette, I. et al. (2016) The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, handbook of bird biology. Third edition. Chichester: Wiley. [Accessed 15/10/2025]
