Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) -> Curlew Sandpiper (Elanus caeruleus) - BirdID's Bird Guide - Nord University

Species:

Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)

Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)

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Broad-billed Sandpiper

Length (cm):

31-35

18-19

Wingspan (cm):

75-87

42-46

Weight (gram):

230-235

50-65

Size group:

Crow-size

Thrush-size

Main Texts:

Appearance:

Small, stout, unmistakable raptor with pale grey plumage. Strikingly broad wings and short tail. Large, round, owl-like head with black "mascara" and short neck. Underside of wing-tips, and upper median and lesser coverts black. Immature birds often with rusty underparts and white fringes to flight feathers and scapulars. Glides with wings raised high like a harrier. Frequent and skilfull hovering.

Sound:

Not very vocal. A soft "Pjuu-harrr". Starting as a mellow, ascending whistle and ending with a harsh screech. Also uttered without the harsh ending, or only a Barn Owl-like screech. Other sounds: rapid series of soft "kekekekekekekekeke" and short whistles.

Alarm call:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

CC

CC-sound:Bernard BOUSQUET, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Summer plumage: Warm, rufous brown below like Knot, but much smaller. Bill curved and much longer, and appearance more long-legged. Winter and juvenile plumage grey above and pale below. Differs from Dunlin in slightly longer legs and bill, more pronounced supercilium, no black patches on belly (some rufous summer feathers may show when moulting) and more upright stance. Juveniles with buff-pinkish tone to breast, and scaly upperparts. Always distinct in all plumages when flying, due to bright white and crescent-shaped rump-patch.

Sound:

Flight call a soft, ringing and rolling "krrrrrt, with variations. Lacks the hoarse, nasal quality of similar call by Dunlin.

Contact call: