Scientific name: Numenius phaeopus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Waders
Field characters. 43-47 cm. Female larger than male, but less size difference between sexes than in European Curlew. Similar to Curlew, but smaller. Bill differently shaped, not evenly curved but with slight bend near tip. Head with light crown stripe and supercilium, bordered by dark lines, giving capped appearance, but head pattern often difficult to discern and beware of Curlews with darker cap. Flight and habits like Curlew, but appears darker in flight, especially on upper wing. Confusion possible with (juvenile) Bar-tailed Godwit, due to smaller size, similar flight pattern and quicker wing beats. Is, however, 'fuller-chested' than latter. Less shy than Curlew but easily overlooked. Usually alone or in small flocks, but huge gatherings occur on migration roosts.
Voice. Call clear 'bibibibi'. Song starts like Stone-Curlew, but ends with high trill, resembling call.
Distribution. Rather common summer visitor in north part of region, but widespread. Common on migration. Winters in extreme south-west of region, and in Africa.
Habitat. Breeds in tundra, heaths and moors. On migration occurs in fields, heaths and tidal areas.
Food. Mainly invertebrates, but takes considerable amount of berries when available.