Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus

One can almost always spot 1-2 Whimbrels at Porto Bodega, the sportfishing boat launch area in the northeast sector of Bodega Bay. At high tide they are usually on the pilings near the boats. At low tide the Whimbrel is often seen foraging along the rocks on the east side of the parking lot. This is one of 2 Whimbrels we saw there, and predictably one took exception to the arrival of the other and drove it off. Photos show a bird with fresh-looking feathers, perhaps a juvenile. First shot is typical. 

Second shot chosen to show the head striping better, a helpful field mark when the bill is not visible.

Third shot captures the Whimbrel and many other shorebirds scan above for potential predators or rivals that might be approaching.

I thought to write something "new" about this attractive species, but when I re-read what I sent in 2010 I realized that I had forgotten more than half of it, so maybe worth repeating here (edited).

"The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is said to get its common name from one of its calls, which sound like "whim". They added "brel" as a diminutive, i.e. "little whim" (Terres, Ency. NA Birds).  Numenius, the Curlews, is a genus of large shorebirds with long down-curved bills. Numenius in fact comes from the Greek word 'noumenios', meaning 'of the new moon'. The curve of the bill in birds of this genus resembles the look of a new crescent moon.

There are (were) 8 species of Curlews in the world. The Whimbrel breeds in the all subartic regions (circumpolar) and migrates south to shores around the world. Other species like our Long-billed Curlew are less widely distributed. The remaining 6 Curlews are Eurasian, Far Eastern, Slender-billed, Bristle-thighed, Little, and Eskimo. The last Eskimo Curlew was seen is Texas in 1962 and now considered extinct, due to past heavy hunting to sell the birds for market. Whimbrel was said to be very shy then and thus harder for the hunters to shoot. Most of the curlew species have been seen in the ABA region, but infrequently. Bolinas Lagoon is a good spot if you want the Long-billed Curlew."