Source:

IndianExpress

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Context

• First the time, a long-distance migratory bird, the Eurasian or common whimbrel, tagged with a Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitter was captured on camera in the state of Chhattisgarh.

Details

Taxonomy and Classification

• Scientific Name:Numenius phaeopus
• Common Names:Whimbrel, Hudsonian Curlew (in North America)
• Family:Scolopacidae
• Order:Charadriiformes

Physical Description

• Size:Length ranges from 37 to 47 cm (14.6 to 18.5 inches); wingspan is 76 to 89 cm (29.9 to 35 inches).
• Weight:Typically between 270 to 493 grams (9.5 to 17.4 ounces).
• Plumage:Mottled brown and grey with a distinctive crown stripe and a white underbelly.
• Bill:Long, down-curved bill, ideal for probing mudflats for food.
• Legs:Long and greyish-blue, adapted for wading.

Distribution and Habitat

• Breeding Range:Tundra regions in North America, Europe, and Asia.
• Non-breeding Range:Coastal regions in South America, Africa, South Asia, and Australasia.
• Habitat:Prefers coastal wetlands, estuaries, mudflats, and sandy beaches during migration and wintering. Breeding habitats include tundra and moorland.

Migration

• Patterns:Whimbrels are long-distance migrants, with some populations traveling from the Arctic breeding grounds to southern Africa and South America.
• Routes:Known for their trans-oceanic flights, particularly across the Atlantic Ocean.
• Timing:Migration occurs primarily in spring and autumn.

Diet and Foraging

• Primary Diet:Invertebrates such as crustaceans, mollusks, and worms.
• Foraging Behavior:Probes into mud and sand with its long bill; also feeds on insects, small fish, and occasionally berries during the breeding season.

Reproduction

• Breeding Season:Typically from late May to early July.
• Nesting:Ground nests on the open tundra; simple scrapes lined with lichens, moss, and grass.
• Clutch Size:Usually 3 to 5 eggs.
• Incubation Period:Approximately 24 to 28 days.
• Chick Development:Precocial chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and are cared for by both parents.

Behavior and Ecology

• Social Structure:Generally solitary or in small groups during breeding; forms larger flocks during migration and wintering.
• Vocalizations:Loud, bubbling calls; also emits a distinctive “cur-lee” sound, especially during flight.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List:Least Concern, but some populations face threats from habitat loss and climate change.
• Conservation Efforts:Protected under various international agreements, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States and the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA).

Sources:

IndianExpress

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.  Consider the following statements regarding the Whimbrel: The Whimbrel is a large migratory shorebird belonging to the sandpiper family. It is primarily found in the Arctic region and migrates to the Antarctic during the winter months. The Whimbrel is known for its distinctive downward-curving bill, which it uses to probe for food in mudflats and marshes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Options: A. 1 only B. 1 and 2 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 1, 2, and 3 Answer: B