Long-Billed Curlew
Numenius americanus
The photo on the left is of a Long-Billed Curlew, a large sandpiper, catching a small crab at the Hayward Regional Shoreline, CA where the Bay and salt marsh meet on July 31, 2015. The photo on the right of the flying Long-Billed Curlew (one of six) is from June 20, 2015 at Wildcat Marsh in Richmond, CA, as seen from the Landfill Loop Trail on the west side between the Retention Pool and the Bay. Note the cinnamon underwings and wash on the body; these help to distinguish this species from the Whimbrel which is somewhat smaller, shorter bill and with a dark brown head stripe. (Click on images to see enlarged versions.)