ID Keys: Large size for shorebird, strongly decurved bill, strong black
head stripes
The Hudsonian Whimbrel is a very
widespread shorebird, breeding throughout the Arctic, and wintering along the
coasts of every continent except Antarctica. The American subspecies was
once considered its own species, formerly called the Hudsonian Curlew, but all
four distinct subspecies in the world were then reclassified under one species. Then in 2025, the species was again assessed and split into two species, the Hudsonian Whimbrel of North America, and the Eurasian Whimbrel. There are some distinct plumage differences between North American birds and
their Eurasian counterparts . Hudsonian Whimbrels commonly migrate along
coastlines, but are relatively scarce in the interior of the continent, although
they often can be found in traditional stopover points such as the Salton Sea
and the Great Lakes. They are quite uncommon migrants in South Dakota.
Habitat
Hudsonian Whimbrels breed on Arctic tundra landscapes with moist sedge meadows, low shrubs, coastal plains, and wet mossy habitats near ponds and marshes. During migration through South Dakota they are most often found in large wetlands, shallow lakes, flooded fields, mudflats, and reservoir shorelines where they forage for insects and other small invertebrates in open muddy or grassy areas.
Diet
Summer diet consists of both insects
and berries. Along coastlines, eats mollusks, crustaceans, amphipods, and
marine worms.
Behavior
Hudsonian Whimbrels are active and highly alert shorebirds that often forage by walking steadily across mudflats, grasslands, or shallow wetlands while probing the ground with their long curved bills for insects, crustaceans, and other prey. During migration they may gather in loose flocks, frequently giving loud whistled calls in flight, and they are known for strong, long-distance migratory movements between Arctic breeding grounds and South American wintering areas.
Breeding
Non-breeder in South Dakota. On their
breeding range, the nest is a shallow depression on the ground, lined with
mosses, lichen, and grasses. The female lays 3 or 4 eggs, and both parents
help to incubate them. When the eggs hatch, the young leave the nest and
feed themselves, but the parents tend to the young and vigorously protect them
from predators.
Song
The Hudsonian Whimbrel is well known for its loud, ringing whistle call, often described as a rapid series of clear pip-pip-pip-pip-pip (5-7) notes that carries long distances across wetlands and coastal habitats. During migration and on breeding grounds, flocks frequently call in flight, creating a distinctive bubbling chorus that is one of the most recognizable sounds among larger shorebirds.
Migration
Summers in Alaska and northern Canada. Winters
along the U.S. Pacific coast and Gulf Coast southward through South America.
Long-billed Curlew,
Bristle-thighed Curlew. Hudsonian Whimbrels are smaller and more strongly patterned than Long-billed Curlews, showing bold dark crown stripes, a distinct pale stripe down the center of the head, and a noticeably shorter curved bill. Long-billed Curlews are much larger overall, with an extremely long decurved bill and a warmer cinnamon-colored wash on the underwings visible in flight. Bristle-thighed Curlews are more uniform and buffy in appearance than Hudsonian Whimbrels, lacking the bold striped crown pattern and instead showing plainer facial markings along with distinctive bristle-like feathers on the thighs.
