Validity of the fifth primary pattern as a distinguishing feature in Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus subspecies, with particular emphasis on Steppe Whimbrel N. p. alboaxillaris

This paper assesses the use of the patterning of P5 and P6 in distinguishing Steppe Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus alboaxillaris from Eurasian Whimbrel N. p. phaeopus as proposed by Allport (2017) and Campbell et al (2022). Examination of 125 Whimbrels, including specimens of N. p. variegatus, demonstrates that the range of variation is greater than depicted in field guides and that the various subspecies show considerable overlap in this feature.