The whimbrel

A whimbrel is seen among rocks in Shenzhen Bay Park, Nanshan District. Photos by Isaac Cohen

The whimbrel

The whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is a captivating bird species that visits the coastal areas of Shenzhen during its annual migration. This medium-sized bird has a particularly long, curved beak; its plumage is mottled brown, providing camouflage in its natural habitats. Its distinctively long neck and legs allow the bird to quicklywade through shallow waters. During flight, its spread wings reveal a striking pattern of black and white stripes.

中杓鹬是一种常见于深圳沿海地区的冬候鸟，体型中等，喙长度为头部两倍，尖端下弯，全身具斑驳的棕色羽毛，是极好的伪装色。颈甚长，腿亦甚长，善涉水。初级飞羽内侧具锯齿状白色横斑，飞行时可见。

Whimbrels are primarily found in coastal habitats, including mudflats, estuaries, marshes, and sandy beaches. They visit Shenzhen Bay Park’s coastline as a stopover site during their migration. They are often seen probing the sand or mud with their long beaks in search of prey.

中杓鹬主要栖息于沿海生境，如泥滩、河口、沼泽和沙滩等，深圳湾公园的海岸线是它们迁徙的中转站。在这里，经常能观察到它们一边走动，一边把细长的喙插进沙地或泥地中寻找猎物。

A whimbrel is seen among rocks in Shenzhen Bay Park, Nanshan District.

Whimbrels have a varied diet, consisting mainly of invertebrates such as crabs, worms, mollusks, and insects. They also consume small fish, berries and seeds for variety.

中杓鹬的食谱多样，主要以螃蟹、蠕虫、软体动物和昆虫等无脊椎动物为食。也吃小鱼、浆果和种子。

Whimbrels typically breed in Arctic regions, such as the tundra. The female lays up to four eggs in a shallow nest on the ground. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for about three weeks. The chicks are precocial, meaning they are relatively independent and can feed themselves shortly after hatching. The parents provide protection and guidance until the young birds are ready to embark on their first migration.

中杓鹬繁殖于北极苔原地区，在地面筑巢，雌鸟每窝产卵可达4枚，由双亲轮流孵化约三周后，雏鸟破壳。雏鸟属早成鸟，孵化后眼已睁开，能够独立行走，不久后就能自己觅食。亲鸟会为候鸟提供必要的保护和指导，直到幼鸟具备长距离迁徙的能力。

A whimbrel is seen among rocks in Shenzhen Bay Park, Nanshan District.

These birds undertake impressive long-distance journeys, traveling thousands of kilometers from their breeding grounds in the Arctic to their wintering sites. They use stopover sites like Shenzhen to rest and refuel before continuing their migration. The whimbrels’ migration is a testament to their remarkable navigational abilities and endurance.

从北极的繁殖地迁徙至到南方的越冬地，中杓鹬往往要经过上千公里夜以继日的飞行。南迁途中，它们通常会选择在深圳等地稍作休息，补充能量。这些识途的候鸟有着无与伦比的耐力，每年往返南北上千公里，从不爽约。

Theirfeeding habits contribute to the balance of coastal ecosystems. As they forage for food, these birds help regulate populations of invertebrates, playing a crucial role in the balance of the food chain. Additionally, their feeding activities stir upthe sediment, allowing for nutrient cycling and enhancing the productivity of the coastal habitats they visit.

中杓鹬的觅食习性有助于维护沿海生态系统的平衡。通过捕食无脊椎动物，它们帮助调节此类动物的种群数量，对维系食物链的动态平衡起着至关重要的作用。此外，它们使用喙觅食的过程中，还能搅动水底沉积物，促进海洋养分循环，提高它们所在沿海栖息地的生产力。

A whimbrel is seen among rocks in Shenzhen Bay Park, Nanshan District.

Their migratory behavior contributes to the ecological connectivity between different regions, and their presence indicates the health of their Arctic breeding grounds and coastal wintering sites.

中杓鹬等候鸟的迁徙行为，使不同地区之间的生态系统关联的更加紧密。此外，它们还是反映北极苔原繁殖地及南部沿海越冬地生境状况的重要指示物种。