The curlew sandpiper migrates from Arctic breeding grounds to wintering sites in southern Africa and Australia.
It breeds mainly in the tundra of Siberia. After nesting, birds travel along the East Atlantic, Mediterranean, African-Eurasian, and East Asian–Australasian flyways. Different populations use different wintering regions, including Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
The bird is named for its slightly downcurved bill, which recalls a curlew. In breeding plumage it develops rich chestnut underparts, while non-breeding birds appear pale gray and white.
Curlew sandpipers depend on tidal mudflats and shallow wetlands during migration. Habitat loss in those stopover areas can affect birds thousands of kilometres from their breeding grounds.