Eurasian Curlew or Whimbrel? Tajikistan (1 Viewer)

[PhilSteiner]

I took these photos yesterday in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. As it flew by, my thought was, "THAT's a beefy bird." I thought that distinguishing Curlew and Whimbrel would prove easier than it has for me...looking for input here from anyone who has experience with the two. There are no eBird records for either species in Tajikistan, although looking at surrounding countries, it looks like Eurasian Curlew would be the expected species now.

 

[jogresh]

I'd go for Whimbrel.
I wouldn't be surprised if they pass through.

 

[Muppit17]

I'd go for Whimbrel.
I wouldn't be surprised if they pass through.

I agree, although difficult to tell with this set. The face pattern can't be seen well enough. The bill seems to have the 'straight then drop' of this species rather than the progressive curve of a curlew. The whole of the primaries on the upper wing are dark, whilst on curlew the inner primaries should be paler.

 

[PhilSteiner]

I'd go for Whimbrel.
I wouldn't be surprised if they pass through.

They surely do pass through. There are records from surrounding countries, just not as many as for Eurasian Curlew and not in the past 30 days, whereas there are Eurasian Curlew records from both north and south within the past month.