The curlew  (Numenius arquata)

is a species of the family of woodcock birds (Scolopacidae). There are two subspecies. The nominate in Central Europe is an increasingly rare nesting birds and summer. He is a regular passage migrants during the migration periods and migratory birds, the wintering area as well.

Appearance of adult birds
The curlew is about 50 to 60 cm long and weighs 600-1000 g. The wingspan is 80 to 100 cm. The birds are the largest wading birds, and they are in Europe, the most common curlews. A characteristic feature of the curlew is the long and strongly curved downward beak. The female is slightly larger than the male and has a much more curved and longer beak. Otherwise, see the sexes look alike.
Curlew birds are colored rather unimpressive. The head, neck, chest, the upper body are pale beige with dark brown stripes and spots. The cheeks are dotted dark and bright contrasting this with the chin and throat patch. The breast is streaked a little stronger and lighter towards the belly. In flight the white rump is visible, which together with the white back of a white wedge.

Habitat
Large Curlew breed in swamps and wet meadows and open marshes. In winter, they live on the coasts and in the Watts, also in the fields and wet meadows. Their main area of distribution are North and Central Europe, as well as the British Isles; in Germany they are found in the humid lowlands of the Weser-EMS region. The birds on the coast in Western and southern Europe move in winter.
 

Large Curlews feed on insects, worms, and snails, stochernd they are looking for with their long Bill on the floor. The Bill also serves as tweezers, to bring snails and mussels in their shells. On the train and in winter large Curlew in coastal freshwater marsh and Watt surfaces in the tidal areas are looking for food. They eat preferred small Strandkrabben in mud, while in the freshwater habitats dominate crane fly.
 

Large Curlew locate their prey visually and with the sense of touch. You repeatedly explore the mud in the done–thoroughness–and in shallow depths. They locate prey, this is packed by deeper poke movements. They are then drawn in head and neck procedures out of the ground. Crabs are vigorously shaken by them and thrown to the ground, to remove the limb. Prey are located on the surface, are often slain in short spurts.
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