Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), Willcox, Cochise County

This Whimbrel was found by John Hirth on 1 May 2010 at "Lake Cochise", the large reclaimed water holding pond south of Twin Lakes Golf Course in Willcox.  It was photographed by Mark Stevenson the same day. 

Whimbrel is a less than annual spring and fall migrant in southeast Arizona with most reports falling in April and May.

In fall, juvenile Long-billed Curlews may be mistaken for Whimbrels until the curlews' bills are fully grown. In spring, that is not a problem. The size of the bird, shape of the bill and striping on the head provide identification. The voices of the two species are also quite different.

01 May 2010, photo by Mark Stevenson