Eurasian curlew

　The Eurasian curlew is a large sandpiper that migrates to estuaries and mudflats on Honshu, where it can be seen in spring and autumn. Whilst it is rarely seen in Kyoto, which lacks large mudflats, a small number overwinter in the Nansei Islands.

　On Honshu, they are, unfortunately, usually too far away. However, on Ishigaki Island, they can be observed from a relatively close distance.

　The Eurasian curlew is characterised by its large, downward-curving bill. In Japan, the only other large sandpiper with a large bill is the Far Eastern curlew. Although the two species are very similar, the Eurasian curlew can be identified relatively easily by the white plumage on its underparts and from its back to its rump.

　It is widely distributed throughout the world, and three subspecies are recognised. The nominate subspecies, *Numenius arquata arquata*, which breeds in Europe and migrates to Africa in winter, has a shorter bill than the subspecies found in Japan, *Numenius arquata orientalis*; the bill is said to be particularly short in juvenile males.