Very large Asian shorebird with an extremely long, decurved dark bill that is pale at the base. Bill longest on female. Unmarked head with darkish lores and white eye arcs. Gray legs. Grayish-brown overall, more reddish brown on back and scapulars, coarse streaks on neck, breast, and wings. Feathers on upperparts have black along the shaft with wide russet-brown margins, giving a streaked appearance. Light brown, barred tail. Underwings are whitish with heavy dark brown barring. Juvenile buffy brown underparts with thin streaks on upper breast and a shorter bill than adult. Similar to Long-billed Curlew but lacks buffy-cinnamon tones, is more streaked on neck, breast, and uppperparts, and has heavily-barred rather than tawny cinnamon underwings.

Length: 60 (cm) Wingspan: 110 (cm)

Habitat:

Breeds by wet meadows, grasslands and pastures. Found on mudflats and beaches during nonbreeding season.

Behavior:

Roosts and forages in flocks. Probes for food slowly and deliberately.

Feeding:

Probes for crabs, worms, and mollusks; also eats berries and a variety of insects.