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Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A champion of long-distance flight, the Curlew Sandpiper is a stunning shorebird that travels from the Siberian Arctic to the southern edges of the world. With its elegant curved bill and dramatic red breeding plumage, it is a prized sight for coastal wildlife watchers.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 18–23 cm (7–9 in); Wingspan: 42–46 cm (16.5–18 in); Weight: 40–100 g (1.4–3.5 oz)

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Colors

Breeding adults have deep brick-red face and underparts; non-breeding adults are pale grey above and white below. Juveniles show buff-edged feathers and a peachy wash on the breast.

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Key Features

Distinctively long, slender bill with a downward curve
Bright white rump visible only in flight
Elegant, long black legs and slim neck
Breeding plumage is a rich ferruginous red

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active day and night

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Peak hours Dependent on tides; most active during falling and low tides.

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Season August–October (southward migration) and April–May (northward migration)

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Diet Invertebrates including polychaete worms, small mollusks, and crustaceans; also feeds on aquatic insect larvae and seeds in the Arctic.

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Habitat Tidal mudflats, estuaries, saltpans, and coastal lagoons; breeds in damp Arctic tundra.

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Where Does the Curlew Sandpiper Live?

This globe-trotting species begins its life in the high bogs of the Siberian Arctic, particularly the Taimyr Peninsula. As the northern summer fades, it migrates across Eurasia and Africa to winter along the tropical and temperate coasts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australasia. While they are common visitors to countries like Australia, South Africa, and India, they are also frequently spotted along the coastlines of the United Kingdom and Europe during their long seasonal transits.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

8 Countries

25M km² Range

Near Threatened Conservation

Russia AU Australia ZA South Africa IN India TH Thailand GB United Kingdom NL Netherlands Vietnam

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Curlew Sandpiper is a world-class traveler, famous for its marathon migrations from the Siberian Arctic to the southern reaches of Africa and Australia. These birds are highly gregarious, often forming large, dense flocks with other shorebirds. Watching them feed is a lesson in efficiency; they move with a rapid, rhythmic 'sewing machine' motion, probing the soft mud for hidden prey with their specialized bills.

While they are intensely focused during feeding, they remain wary of predators and will take flight in a synchronized shimmer if disturbed. On their wintering grounds, their daily rhythm is dictated almost entirely by the tides rather than the sun. They are social birds that rarely vocalize outside of their breeding grounds, except for a soft 'chirrip' call used to keep the flock together during flight.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Curlew Sandpiper on camera, you need to understand the tide. These birds follow the water's edge, so position your camera on a low-profile stake or a ground-level sandbag just above the high-tide line on a mudflat or saltpan. Aim the camera to look across the mud rather than straight down; a lens height of 6–10 inches provides a stunning 'eye-level' perspective that makes for professional-grade wildlife photography.

Lighting is your best friend when trying to highlight their plumage. Try to set your camera facing east for afternoon shots or west for morning shots to keep the sun behind the lens. This is particularly important during the spring migration when their brick-red breeding colors are most vibrant. Because they move their heads rapidly while probing, use a high shutter speed or high-definition video setting to prevent motion blur.

Since these birds are sensitive to movement, a stationary AI-powered camera is much more effective than a handheld approach. Use a wide-angle setting if the flock is large, but if your camera has a zoom or telephoto capability, focus on a patch of wet mud that stays moist as the tide recedes—this is where they will spend the most time 'sewing' the ground for worms. Avoid using any bright flashes at night, as this can spook the entire flock; rely on high-quality infrared sensors instead.

Finally, protect your gear! Coastal environments are harsh. Use a silicone protective skin or a weather-sealed housing to guard against salt spray and sand. If you are placing a camera in a public estuary, ensure it is well-camouflaged with local reeds or driftwood to prevent both human interference and avian curiosity.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Curlew Sandpiper.

Dunlin

Dunlins have a shorter, straighter bill and lack the clean white rump of the Curlew Sandpiper.

Broad-billed Sandpiper

Smaller with a distinctively 'kinked' bill tip and a more complex striped head pattern.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Curlew Sandpiper activity is dictated by the tide rather than the time of day. They are most active during falling tides and low tide when mudflats are exposed, allowing them to probe for food. They will feed during both the day and night if the tidal conditions are right.

Curlew Sandpiper are rarely found in traditional backyards unless you live directly on a tidal estuary or salt marsh. To encourage them, maintain clear, unobstructed muddy shorelines and avoid using pesticides that could kill the invertebrates they rely on for food.

They primarily eat small invertebrates such as polychaete worms, mollusks, and crustaceans found in the mud. During their short Arctic breeding season, they also supplement their diet with aquatic insect larvae and some plant material.

They are only found in suburban areas that are immediately adjacent to coastal wetlands or estuaries. They do not visit suburban gardens or parks away from the water.

The easiest way to distinguish them is by the bill; the Curlew Sandpiper has a longer, more noticeably down-curved bill compared to the Dunlin's shorter, straighter bill. Additionally, the Curlew Sandpiper has a bright white rump visible in flight, whereas the Dunlin has a dark line running down the center of its rump.

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