Whimbrels breed in subarctic North America, Europe and Asia and migrate to South America, Africa, south Asia and Australia. They are a large shorebird and have a decurved bill. They also have a small head and a long neck. They do not have an alternate plumage.
Whimbrels probe in the mud for food during the non-breeding season where they eat worms, grubs, crabs, etc. During the breeding season they eat insects in Canada and Alaska.