Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
The Whimbrel is a large, elegant shorebird easily recognized by its long, curved bill and striking head stripes. In Patagonia, it is a regular migrant, seen along coasts, estuaries, and mudflats during the austral summer. Its plumage is mottled brown and gray, providing excellent camouflage among rocks and sand. Whimbrels are highly vocal, often giving a rippling whistle in flight. Their migratory journeys are among the longest of any shorebird, connecting the Arctic tundra with the southernmost reaches of South America. In Patagonia, they are admired for their resilience and adaptability, thriving in harsh coastal environments.
Habitat
Coastal mudflats, sandy beaches, estuaries, and saltmarshes throughout Patagonian shorelines.
Foraging
Probes mud and sand with its long bill for invertebrates, especially crabs, worms, and small mollusks.
