Little Curlew
Numenius minutus

>> GENERAL >>>>>

– medium-sized wader, about the size of Common Greenshank
– nocturnal/diurnal migrant
– migrates singly or in small to medium flocks
– sometimes mixed with other waders

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>


Little Curlew Numenius minutus
BIF2425, 22/08/2017, Dornod, Mongolia, Mathias Putze
– slim and long wings
– rather short, slightly decurved bill
– slight contrast between darker breast and whitish belly/buffish flanks
– feet are not or only very slightly protruding the tail


Little Curlew Numenius minutus
BIF2886, 13/08/2010, Dornod, Mongolia, Martin Grimm
– face pattern not as contrasting as in Eurasian Whimbrel, but blackish cap maybe prominent
– underwing coverts with dense but not very contrasting barring


Little Curlew Numenius minutus
BIF2426, 21/08/2017, Dornod, Mongolia, Mathias Putze
– upperside rather uniformly brown, no white wedge on rump (→ Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew)
– dark primaries and primary coverts somewhat contrasting inner wing with slightly paler panel on coverts
– no obviously lighter coloured inner primaries as in Eurasian Curlew


Little Curlew Numenius minutus
BIF2427, 07/09/2017, Dornod, Mongolia, Mathias Putze
– bill slightly tilted downwards


Little Curlew Numenius minutus
BIF2428, 27/08/2017, Dornod, Mongolia, Mathias Putze


Little Curlew Numenius minutus
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
BIF2429, 21/08/2017, Dornod, Mongolia, Mathias Putze


Little Curlew Numenius minutus
BIF2430, 20/08/2017, Dornod, Mongolia, Mathias Putze

>> ACOUSTIC ID >>>>>

calls during migration not yet sound recorded

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Eurasian Curlew (v)
Eurasian Whimbrel (v)
Upland Sandpiper (v)
Bar-tailed Godwit (v)

#shorebird #wader

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