Bird of the Week – Whimbrel
At a little over 17 inches tall, this is one of the larger shorebirds that breeds in wetter alpine tundra areas in Alaska. The long, downcurved bill and distinctive white and brown-striped head make the bird easy to identify.
You’ll likely hear the haunting, hollow whistle call before you find this bird; despite its size, it can be hard to see, especially hunched down on a nest. This bird was photographed on the east end of the Denali Highway.
Technical stuff: f5.7, 1/320, ISO250
More bird photos at Frozen Feather Images.
Wow! I never heard of a whimbrel, let alone seen a photo. Thanks, WC, it’s lovely.