Bristle-thighed curlew Numenius tahitiensis

Identification Tips:

• Large shorebird
• Long decurved bill
• Dark legs
• Grayish-white and brown head stripes
• Brown upperparts with small light and dark spots
• White belly and undertail coverts
• Plain upperparts, no wing stripe
• Rusty rump and tail
• United States range restricted to Alaska and Hawaii

Similar species:

Whimbrel is very similar but has a brown, not rust, rump and tail. Other shorebirds with decurved bills lack head stripes.