Male and female birds look similar, but females are larger and have a longer bill. This species can get confused with the Eurasian curlew (Grootwulp). The whimbrel is smaller and darker with a shorter decurved bill (2-2.5x the length of the head). The whimbrel’s crown is dark brown with a thin white mid-stripe. Eyes are dark brown with a white supercilium (eyebrow) stretching from the base of the bill to beyond the eye. Legs and feet are a dull grey brown. The Eurasian curlew has a plain head with a longer bill (3-4x the length of the head) and legs. On average the curlew is 30% larger than the whimbrel.

Eurasian whimbrel’s have a circumpolar breeding distribution and are found predominantly north of 55°N. The non-breeding grounds of this species is widespread and are found on all continents and most islands south of 35°N. In southern Africa they are found along the entire coastline during summer.

These common non-breeding migrants start arriving in late August. Young birds keep arriving until November. Whimbrel’s depart during March and early April. One and two-year-old birds overwinter in southern Africa and can be seen along the Breede River Estuary during winter. On average 25-28% of the total birds from a particular site remain during the winter months. The population in southern Africa is believed to be around 13 300 birds with Langebaan Lagoon and Knysna Estuary the two sites within the Western Cape with the largest concentration of birds.

These birds are mainly found along the open coast, estuaries, and lagoon with a preference for mudflats, mangroves, saltmarshes, sandy and rocky intertidal habitats. A common wader that can be regularly seen along the Breede River Estuary during summer, particularly on the mudflats. They are often seen associating with other waders such as Grey Plovers along eth Breede River Estuary.

The Eurasian whimbrel usually walks while feeding and have a varied diet. This includes crustaceans (e.g. crabs, estuarine mudprawn), molluscs, annelids (segmented worms) and sometimes small fish.

These birds first start breeding at around 2 years old. The oldest known bird is at least 12 years old. The Eurasian Whimbrel is listed as Least Concern with current worldwide population trend that is decreasing.