Galapagos Whimbrel Facts

Name: Whimbrel
Family: Scolopacidae
Scientific Name: Numenius phaeopus
Length: 40 - 46 cm (15.7 - 18.1 in)
Weight: 305–425 g

Category: Shore Birds
Number of Species: 28
Endemic Species: 19

In total, 21 species of water birds have been recorded in Galapagos, 10 of which are endemic to the Islands. Thirty-Four species of shore birds have been recorded in Galapagos, only 2 of which are endemic.

Category: Shore Birds
Family: Scolopacidae

A total of twenty-six species have been recorded in Galapagos, including 14 migrants and 12 vagrants. These shorebirds, recorded in Galapagos vary in size from the small sandpipers (often referred to as 'peeps') to the medium-sized Whimbrel. They also vary in structure from the short-legged to the long-legged and from the short-billed to the long-billed. The larger and strikingly plumaged species are generally quite easy to identify. However, the smaller ones can be difficult and some, particularly when they are in non-breeding plumage, are distinguishable only by careful observation of their overall structure, sub de plumage features, leg color, bill shape and rump pattern.

Regular migrant of Galapagos, found on rocky shores and lagoons, also around pools and in grassy areas in the highlands.?

Identification:
Whimbrels are unmistakable: the only large wader with a long, down curved bill. Long-legged with conspicuously striped crown. ADULT: Upper parts grey-brown; under parts paler with fine streaking on breast. JUVENILE: Upperparts slightly darker than in adult with buff spots and fringes on flight feathers.

Voice:
A very characteristic and far-carrying six or seven note trill: "tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu".

Behavior:
Found on rocky shores and lagoons; also around pools and in grassy areas in the highlands.