The Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis Forster is a medium-sized shorebird (about 30 cm long) with a slender, slightly downcurved bill; dark crown and rather indistinct pale crownstripe; cinnamon tone above with whole underparts washed cinnamon; heavy v-shaped black marks and barring on breast and flanks; underwings and axillaries bright cinnamon with brown barrings; and legs bluish-grey with reticulated scales posteriorly.