Whimbrel

1/1000s at f9.0, ISO:400, Canon Mark III 1Ds w/800mm, 1.4x converter


The Whimbrel is one of the most widespread of the curlews, breeding across much of sub arctic North America, Europe and Asia as far south as Scotland. This is a migratory species wintering on coasts in Africa, South America, south Asia into Australasia and southern North America. It is also a coastal bird during migration. It is fairly gregarious outside the breeding season. This species feeds by probing soft mud for small invertebrates and by picking small crabs and similar prey off the surface. Prior to migration, berries become an important part of their diet. It also eats blue butterflies. The nest is a bare scrape on tundra or Arctic moorland. Three to five eggs are laid. Adults are very defensive of nesting area and will even attack humans who come too close.
Churchill, Manitoba
 
06/19/2010