The Whimbrel is a chunky shorebird that nests in the north and migrates through several parts of southern Canada. Its distinctively curved bill is the perfect tool for probing deep into soft mud or sand in search of crabs and other invertebrates, and it doubles as a nimble berry-picker in the Arctic summer.
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In Canada, Whimbrel breeds in northern Yukon and Northwest Territories, and along the western side of Hudson Bay. It spends its nonbreeding season on both coasts from the United States to southern South America. Canadian breeders may be more likely to winter along the Atlantic. During migration Whimbrels mainly stop at coastal sites, but some individuals also use inland locations.
The size of the Whimbrel population in Canada is poorly known, but it is estimated at around 70,000 which represents 8% of the global population and a low degree of Canadian responsibility. Approximately another 100,000 breed in Alaska and migrate through Canada, increasing the overall proportion to 20% and the level of responsibility to moderate. Whimbrel has experienced a large decrease in Canada relative to 1970, although confidence in the status is low because migration monitoring only samples a small proportion of the population. The national population of Whimbrel is below its goal range.
The best source of information on Whimbrel in Canada is migration monitoring by the Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring (PRISM). Although the precision of PRISM estimates is high, it may be based on only a small proportion of the population, so the reliability is considered low. PRISM data indicate a large, long-term decline since the early 1970s, with the steepest declines in the late 1980s and 2000s. The population is currently 78% lower than in the 1970s. Future assessments will be improved when new results from the Arctic Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring (Arctic PRISM) become available.
The goal for Whimbrel is to increase the population to the level it was at in the early 1980s, based on migration monitoring by the Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring. Whimbrel is far below its goal range and its population decline is ongoing. The trend will need to stabilize before the population can begin to rebound, and it is not realistic for the goal to be met by 2050. Based on analysis of the historical population loss and potential growth rates, the interim target is to reach 30% of the goal by that year. Achieving this target, and ultimately reaching the national goal for this species, will require ambitious and long-term conservation action.
Designation | Geographic Area | Status | CITATION |
---|---|---|---|
Wild Species | Canada | Apparently secure | |
IUCN | Global | Least Concern | |
Partners in Flight | Western Hemisphere | Orange Watch List |
The Whimbrel is a chunky shorebird that nests in the north and migrates through several parts of southern Canada. Its distinctively curved bill is the perfect tool for probing deep into soft mud or sand in search of crabs and other invertebrates, and it doubles as a nimble berry-picker in the Arctic summer.
Whimbrel is primarily reported between April and October in Canada. It migrates south in the nonbreeding season, but there are a few scattered winter records.