What feature arches above the eye for positive Whimbrel head identification?
Answer
Pale or whitish supercilium
One of the most reliable features for positively identifying a Whimbrel, aside from the bill shape, is the specific patterning on its head. This pattern includes a series of parallel stripes on the crown and face. Crucially, a pale or whitish stripe known as the supercilium is present; this feature arches distinctly above the eye, serving the important role of clearly separating the dark eye-line from the dark stripes running down the crown. This bold striping creates the characteristic masked appearance.
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