The male and female birds of this wader are alike when in non-breeding plumage, but females have a longer bill. The strongly decurved bill and bright white rump are key features for identification for this species. Often seen in transitional plumage in February and March where the plumage becomes dark-rufous on the belly and breast and around the face.

Curlew sandpipers breed in the coastal areas of the high Arctic tundra from western Siberia, east to the Bering Strait. Birds from southern Africa are believed to breed in Siberia. The non-breeding ground extend western Africa east to New Zealand including Indian Ocean Islands. Usually the most abundant wader in estuaries in southern Africa, the population in southern Africa is estimated to be about 135 000 birds.

These common non-breeding migrants arrive in southern Africa between August and November and depart out shores between March and April. Langebaan Lagoon and Berg River Estuary have the highest number of birds for sites in the Western Cape and South Africa.

Curlew sandpipers can be found in variety of habitats that include estuaries, lagoons, sheltered coastlines, inland wetlands with muddy fringes. Usually seen in large flocks that will interact aggressively with their own species, and other waders such as common greenshanks, little stints and small plovers. A common bird along the Breede River Estuary.

They feed on invertebrates with polychaete worms, molluscs, and crustaceans important prey items. They will also take spiders, crustaceans, annelid worms, molluscs, small fish and frogs. They mainly forage for their food on mudflats and this habitat is the best place to look for these birds along the Breede River Estuary.

The oldest known bird is at least 19 years old. They are preyed upon by Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk and Peregrine Falcons.