A small (18-23cm), slim shorebird with a long, black decurved bill, breeds in northern Siberia. A migratory shorebird from Northern Siberia that inhabits coastal and inland mud flats around Australia. Arriving in Australia around September and departing in April it can be seen around Sydney Olympic Park at salt marshes such as Newington Nature Reserve, the Waterbird Refuge in the Bicentennial Park wetlands and Mason Park. It remains in Australia over summer while moulting its flight feathers and during this time tends to stay in one place, and return to that place in subsequent years. The voice is described as a loud "chirrup". It may be seen submerging its head in shallow water while foraging for worms, crustaceans and insects with its long, black down-curved bill. It may be seen with a variety of other shorebirds, often with Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in a range of habitats.
Listen to the call of the Curlew Sandpiper (MP3)
The Curlew Sandpiper in nonbreeding plumage and habitat in Sydney Olympic Park
The breeding habitat of the Curlew Sandpiper in Northern Siberia
Return to Migatory Waders and The Flyway
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