Curlew Sandpiper

Scientific Name: Calidris ferruginea
Malay Name: Kedidi Paruh Lengkuk
Chinese Name: 弯嘴滨鹬

Range:
Breeds Arctic Siberia; winters to sub-Saharan Africa east to southeast Asia.

Taxonomy:
Monotypic.

Size: 19-21.5 cm

Identification:
Medium-sized sandpiper with long, downcurved bill. In non-breeding plumage, shows clear contrasting white supercilium (unlike Dunlin, which has a weak or indistinct supercilium). See Broad-billed Sandpiper for differences. In breeding plumage, head, neck, and underparts mostly rufous; upperparts washed with gray and rufous tones. Birds in early migratory season (July-August) often display patches of rufous on breast and upper belly.

Similar looking species: Broad-billed Sandpiper

Habitat: Mudflats, sandflats, and brackish lagoons.

Behaviour/Ecology: Picks prey from surface of mud, occasionally probing.

Local Status: Uncommon migrant

Conservation Status: Near Threatened (BirdLife International 2017)

Location: Sightings over the last 10 years were reported from Chek Jawa, Sungei Buloh, Mandai Mudflats, and Pulau Tekong.

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Curlew Sandpiper at SBWR. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Curlew Sandpiper at Seletar Dam. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Curlew Sandpiper at Seletar Dam. Photo Credit: Francis Yap