This species is often confused with the more common Whimbrel. However this species has an exceptionally long bill that gradually curves downward mainly near the tip. . The dark brown bill has a pinkish base on the lower mandible and is 3-4x the head length. The curlew is much larger than the whimbrel. Eyes are dark brown. Legs and feet are grey.

This species breeds in the Northern Hemisphere summer from western Europe to northwest China. The non-breeding grounds are extensive from western and southern Europe to south and southeast Asia, south over much of Africa and Madagascar. Birds from southern Africa probably breed in Russia.

The Eurasian Curlew starts arriving in August and depart by early April. Some birds do overwinter in South Africa, with approximately 25-30% of the summer count. An uncommon bird in southern Africa with the population estimated to be less than 1000 birds. It is most common on the West Coast. In the early 1900s this species was more way more abundant than it is currently and found in most estuaries. This is likely due to habitat loss, egg and chick deaths from agricultural practices and human disturbance in their breeding grounds. Threats in non-breeding areas are disturbance on mudflats and pollution. Larger concentrations are found at coastal wetlands in Namibia and Langebaan Lagoon (averages 325 birds). The only other estuary to have a significant population is Swartkops Estuary in Eastern Cape (averages 60 birds).

This species is mainly found in estuaries, lagoons and beaches that are relatively undisturbed. They will forage in intertidal mud- and sandflats. The high usage and associated disturbance on the Breede River Estuary mudflats during summer likely plays a part in the rare sightings of this species.

The Eurasian Curlew uses sight to find food and then peck and jab at prey that is seen near or at the surface or by touch by probing the bill fully into the mud or sand. Larger aqauatic invertebrates are taken (e.g. estuarine mudprawns, shellfish, small crabs, shrimps and polychaete worms).

Listed as Near-Threatened on the IUCN red data list.