Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea

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Brief #

Breeding adult has patterned dark grey upperparts and brick-red underparts. In winter, this bird is pale grey above and white below.

Synonyms #

  • Correlimos zarapitín (Spanish)
  • Pilro ferruxento (Galician)

Red List Status #

The Curlew Sandpiper is close to being at high risk of extinction in the near future.
Find out more about IUCN's Red List program here

Description #

These birds are small waders, similar to dunlins, but differ in having a longer down-curved beak, longer neck and legs and a white rump. The breeding adult has patterned dark grey upperparts and brick-red underparts. In winter, this bird is pale grey above and white below, and shows an obvious white supercilium. Juveniles have a grey and brown back, a white belly and a peach-coloured breast.

Measurements #

Length: 18 - 23 cm
Wingspan: 38 - 41 cm
Weight: 45 - 90 g

Similar species #