Photo: Marek Szczepanek / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferruginea
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) is a member of the Scolopacidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 58.1 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Scolopacidae Sandpipers, Snipes
- Genus Calidris
- Species ferruginea
Where it lives
Drier low Arctic tundra of north-central, northeastern Palearctic: northwestern Siberia from Yamal Pen. to northwestern Chukotskiy Pen. (northeastern Siberia), and New Siberian Is. (north of north-central Siberia)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 58.1 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Scolopacidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Curlew Sandpiper hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Curlew Sandpiper is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) is a member of the Scolopacidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL drier low Arctic tundra of nc, ne Palearctic: nw Siberia from Yamal Pen. to nw Chukotskiy Pen. (ne Siberia), and New Siberian Is. (n of nc Siberia).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 58.1 g, with a wing length of about 12.9 cm and a tail of around 4.9 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Curlew Sandpiper?
The Curlew Sandpiper is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 58.1 g.
Where does the Curlew Sandpiper live?
The Curlew Sandpiper is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL drier low Arctic tundra of nc, ne Palearctic: nw Siberia from Yamal Pen. to nw Chukotskiy Pen. (ne Siberia), and New Siberian Is. (n of nc Siberia), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Curlew Sandpiper belong to?
The Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) belongs to the Scolopacidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Curlew Sandpiper eat?
The Curlew Sandpiper hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Curlew Sandpiper migrate?
The Curlew Sandpiper is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Curlew Sandpiper endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Curlew Sandpiper make?
1 real field recording of the Curlew Sandpiper — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Curlew Sandpiper's range?
The Curlew Sandpiper has a mapped global range of about 1.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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