Monday 22 January 2018

A Whimbrel in Alvor.

After seeing a Whimbrel on the shore one day in Alvor, we went back on the following day, and saw it again further down the coast, and I managed to get some closer shots. It was low tide, and this more remote  part of the coast must have been a favourite place to forage, as we saw the Whimbrel again on three different occasions. 


THE WHIMBREL   NUMENIUS  MINUTUS.
 

This large wader, is very like a Curlew, but smaller, and darker, with a stronger head pattern, but belongs to the Curlew genus.
 

In fact,  at first glance I thought it was a Curlew, but there are several differences.
 

The Wimbrel has a dark cap, with pale central stripe, dark eyestripe, with pale band above eye.
 

The bill is blackish, and downcurved...but..
 

usually more bent, less smooth curved, than the Curlew.
 

It feeds by probing soft earth for small invertebrates, but also eats insects and berries.

 

Here you can clearly see the pale head stripe.
 

All these shots were taken on the second of December.
 

One last shot, and then he got out of range.
 
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34 comments:

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Great series of images of a bird which is always a delight to encounter, and I am sure that the excellent narrative is a concise instruction manual for the uninitiated. Well done!

MadSnapper said...

he is one handsome bird. i love his markings and that long slender beak. as always your photos are fantastic

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I love to watch birds...but I could never be a birder...way too much detail...I say, "Oh, a purdy boid." And that's enough for me.

:)

eileeninmd said...

Hello, The Whimbrel is a pretty shorebird. Great collection of photos.
Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week!

sami niilola said...

Hi. Great photos. Stunning long beak.

matti niilola said...

Superb photos. I like a lot. Awesome bird.

Christine said...

My first thought on seeing this bird was curlew so thank you for pointing out the significant details of this Whimbrel. I had not heard of them before!
Great shots, it is a fine wader!

Michelle said...

Excellent photos and that is one serious beak!

Mike Attwood said...

Lovely pictures Sonjia. I'm still struggling to find something to photograph.

Lowcarb team member said...

You got some great shots here.
Love this birds colouring.

All the best Jan

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Lovely series -- and from them and your descriptions, I am pretty sure I'd recognize this bird if I am ever lucky enough to see one!

Len said...

I think we have discussed Whimbrels before and their habitats. Great sequence of shots. What would we do without you!

Stuart Price said...

Nice! We only see them in spring or autumn.........

Shiju Sugunan said...

It is a beautiful bird. I am seeing this bird for the first time. It looks like a cross between an Indian Pond Heron and an Ibis.

hmuxo said...

Wonderful photos! You always seem to capture the beauty of Nature!!!

Teresa said...

Muy bonito este pájaro, las fotografías te quedaron muy bien. Un beso.

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Nice series of pictures.. Congrats..

Hootin Anni said...

Pretty photos!

Nick Morgan said...

Lovely pictures. I have only seen a Whimbrel a couple of times. We get lots of Curlew here, though. I believe there is quite a difference in their calls.

Ranten said...

One of my favorites! Great photos!

Phil Slade said...

Nice work Sonjia. It's never easy to get shots of waders, espcially the species which are quite easily spooked like Curlews and Whimbrels. You must have used good fieldcraft there.

Debbie said...

it is a very cool looking bird, with a beautiful feather pattern. it seems that long bill might get in the way but perhaps it is helpful in catching fish!!

thank goodness for low tide, your pictures are gorgeous!!

A Colorful World said...

A fascinating look at this bird...he seems to be posing for you!

Cloudia said...

Carries with dignity!

Bob Bushell said...

Brilliant Whimbril images, and great photos.

NatureFootstep said...

beautiful images of the whimbrel :) Thanks for sharing. I too was a bit confused at first :)

Mary Howell Cromer said...

What a beautiful, interesting looking bird...kind of reminds me of Anni's Snipes on her meme this week

Jeevan said...

Excellent capture on the bird and you got great detail, as well pointed out its feature.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, The Whimbrel is a great bird. Beautiful sequence of photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Fabulous selection of photos - I really enjoy seeing a lot of poses of the same bird, shows great variety in their feathers.

Anni said...

We have these here...but so very rare!

So, so special are these photos.

Thanks for stopping by & sharing your photos with all of us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin'

A Colorful World said...

Wonderful shots! How awesome to see him again the second day!

Betty J. Crow said...

Great series of shots! I'm glad it was still there.

Stewart M said...

Splendid bird - I find them (and Curlew) very hard to get close too. Good pictures.

Cheers - Stewart M - (back in) Melbourne

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