The curlew sandpiper is a small wader that breeds on the tundra of Arctic Siberia.
Region
Eurasia, Africa and Australasia
Typical Environment
Breeds on the high Arctic tundra of Siberia, nesting on dry, sparsely vegetated ground near wetlands. During migration it stops at key intertidal mudflats, estuaries, saline lagoons, and coastal wetlands across Eurasia. In the nonbreeding season it is widespread along African coasts and inland wetlands, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. It occasionally uses inland flooded fields and saltpans when coastal sites are limited.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A long-distance migrant, the curlew sandpiper breeds on the tundra of Arctic Siberia and winters across Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Australasia. Its slightly downcurved bill recalls larger curlews and helps it probe soft mud for invertebrates. In breeding plumage it turns a rich rufous-red below, while in nonbreeding season it is mostly gray and white. Populations are declining in parts of its range due to loss of intertidal staging habitats, especially around the Yellow Sea.
Egg
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier
Social Behavior
Often forms tight flocks at roosts and on feeding grounds, mixing readily with other small shorebirds. Nests are shallow ground scrapes, with both parents contributing to care early in the season; later the female often departs before the male. Courtship includes display flights and soft calls over the tundra.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet; gives soft trills and tinkling notes on the breeding grounds. On migration and in flocks, emits a clear, slightly rolling ‘chirrip’ or ‘prrit’ flight call.
Plumage
Breeding adults show rich rufous underparts and face with darker upperparts; nonbreeding birds are smooth pale gray above and white below with a clean, sleek look.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small invertebrates such as polychaete worms, small crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic insects. It probes and picks in soft mud and shallow water, using its downcurved bill to detect prey by touch. Occasionally takes larvae and small beetles on wet shorelines and may ingest a little plant material incidentally.
Preferred Environment
Intertidal mudflats, estuaries, tidal creeks, and saltmarsh edges are prime feeding areas. It also forages on saline lagoons, coastal saltpans, and flooded inland fields during migration.
