ID a wooden bird

A bit more unusual ID here- I was given this lovely wooden bird and we are arguing over the species.

The Child said that the shop had very detailed local birds she identified, so I don't think this is just a "generic wader".

Thanks

 

For what it's worth, Google suggests -

AI Overview

This item is a hand-carved wooden shorebird sculpture, often styled as a heron or curlew, featuring a rustic whitewashed finish and thin metal legs.

 

@Selleri
If I hadn't seen @Pete8 's post I'd have said heron.
Currently I have a marquetry heron next to the computer.


Always had a soft spot for herons, I've been startled numerous times while cycling or running in East Anglia and this large bird silently leaps out of the ditch/drain that I was a alongside.

 

No, not a Heron. We have a lot around here and my wooden beauty is sand coloured with a white belly.

The Child argues for a Godwit sp. , I disagree unless it's a bar tailed one- and Nitwits (sorry ) in general are more spotty on the back.

A Common Greenshank gets my vote for now.

 

They are magnificent birds and seeing one on the ground at close quarters they are BIG.
I see them often around here.
I'm not such a fan of them though - over the years they've must have eaten £00's of my fish .

 

If it was a curlew then the bill would be bent. If it were a Heron then it would have more white all over the rest of the body and a distinct black stripe behind the head.

I think whoever carved it just did what was right for the wood. As it's carved from driftwood the wood dictates the species I've found in the past not the other way around.

 

Heron

 

Not a heron - we have loads of them here on the Thames. They are much more angular birds, standing around waiting for fish and looking elegantly gawky. This rounder softer looking bird is some kind of a wader - maybe a greenshank or godwit as @Selleri says. Or a dunlin, or a sandpiper?

 

@Selleri, I recently purchased a metal bird sculpture similar to yours and thought it was a Heron but I was informed it was a Crane, wondered if that is what yours is?

 

Visual matches on Google describe it as a wooden bird - heron. But our herons don't look as nice. I think it's a cute version of a heron.

 

Artistic license!