Ibisbill

The ibisbill is related to the waders but distinctive enough to have its own family. It is a grey bird with a white belly, red legs, a long, down-curved crimson bill like that of the unrelated ibis, and a black face and black breast band. It is 38 to 41cm long and weighs 270 to 320g. Young birds lack the black on the face and breast and have a duller bill (Wikipedia, general species account).

It breeds across southern Central Asia along stony riverbeds, typically between 1,700 and 4,400m. Outside the breeding season it may descend as low as 100m. It must live near slow-flowing water in order to feed, which limits its habitat despite a large range. In autumn and winter it is typically solitary, though pairs or small flocks of up to eight are found. Its call is a ringing 'klew-klew' like a greenshank's.