What is the etymological basis for the common name 'Whimbrel'?
Answer
It is an onomatopoeia imitating the bird’s characteristic piping call
The common name 'Whimbrel' is not derived from a physical attribute or a Latinized term, but rather from the sound the bird makes. The name is an onomatopoeia, meaning it imitates the actual sound produced by the bird. Specifically, it mimics the Whimbrel's characteristic rippling whistle or piping call. This auditory recognition is often the first way experienced birders identify the presence of a curlew before they visually confirm the signature curved bill.
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