- Scolopacidae - 鷸科 -

General names

Information is based on dictionaries and other sources. Comments and corrections welcome.

The general name for the Scolopacidae is 鷸 yù, which in Taiwan is used for all members of the family. Many of the Chinese names for birds in this family are clearly derived from Japanese.

Recently, the names of a number of the Calidridinae have been changed from the original Japanese names and regularised as 濱鷸 bīn-yù 'shore yu' in conformity with Mainland usage. Ironically, 濱鷸 bīn-yù itself is derived from Japanese ハマシギ (浜鷸) hama-shigi, which refers to the Dunlin.

The Mainland names show occasional contradictions with the Taiwanese names. For instance, 大杓鷸 dà sháo-yù 'large spoon yu' refers to Numenius arquata on the Mainland and N. madagascariencis in Taiwan. The term 漂鷸 piāo-yù 'floating yu' originally referred to Tringa incana (Heteroscelus incanus) on the Mainland and Calidris canutus on Taiwan, although the Taiwanese name of the latter has now been changed to conform with the Mainland name.

For the snipe proper (the Gallinagininae), ornithologists on the Mainland use the obscure term 沙錐 shā zhuī 'sand drill' (also sometimes found as 沙錐鳥 shā zhuī niǎo 'sand drill bird').

The Chinese have a proverb: 鷸蚌相争，漁人得利 yù bàng xiāng zhēng, yúrén dé lì. 'The yu and the clam struggle; the fisherman profits'. This derives from an old story of a snipe/sandpiper who inserted his bill in the clam's shell in order to eat it. The clam countered by clamping his shell tightly onto the bird's bill. The two were locked in a battle that neither could win. Along came the fisherman and claimed them both. The moral of the story is obvious.

2. Species names

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SCOLOPACINAE
SCIENTIFIC & ENGLISH		CHINESE			JAPANESE		OTHER
Latin	English	Chinese (Taiwan)	Chinese (Mainland)	Other Ch	Japanese	Other J	Korean	Vietnamese
Scolopax
Scolopax rusticola	Eurasian woodcock Woodcock	山鷸 shān-yù 'mountain yu'	丘鷸 qiū-yù 'hill yu'		ヤマシギ (山鷸 or 山鴫) yama shigi 'mountain shigi'	ボトシギ (ぼと鷸 or ぼと鴫) boto shigi 'boto shigi'	멧도요 me-t-doyo 'mountain doyo'	Dẽ gà 'fowl de' or Nhát bà 'grandmother nhat'

GALLINAGININAE
SCIENTIFIC & ENGLISH		CHINESE			JAPANESE		OTHER
Latin	English	Chinese (Taiwan)	Chinese (Mainland)	Other Ch	Japanese	Other J	Korean	Vietnamese
Lymnocryptes
Lymnocryptes minimus	Jack snipe	小鷸 xiǎo-yù 'little yu'	姬鷸 jī-yù 'girl yu'		コシギ (小鷸 or 小鴫) ko-shigi 'little shigi'		꼬마도요 kkoma-doyo 'midget doyo'	Dẽ giun nhỏ 'small worm de'
Gallinago
Gallinago hardwickii Capella hardwickii	Latham's snipe or Japanese snipe	大地鷸 dà dì-yù 'large ground yu'	澳南沙錐 Ào nán shā-zhuī 'Australian southern snipe'		オオジシギ (大地鷸 or 大地鴫) ō ji-shigi 'large ground shigi'	カミナリシギ (雷鷸 or 雷鴫) kaminari-shigi 'thunder shigi' (old name)	큰꺅도요 keun-kkyak-doyo 'large kkyak doyo' (kkyak may represent cry)
Gallinago stenura Capella stenura	Pintail snipe or Pin-tailed snipe	針尾鷸 zhēn-wěi yù 'needle-tailed yu'	針尾沙錐 zhēn-wěi shā-zhuī 'needle-tailed snipe'		ハリオシギ (針尾鷸 or 針尾鴫) hari-o shigi 'needle-tailed shigi'		바늘꼬리도요 baneul-kkori-doyo 'needle-tailed doyo'	Dẽ giun Á Châu 'Asian worm de'
Gallinago megala Capella megala	Swinhoe's snipe	中地鷸 zhōng dì-yù 'medium ground yu'	大沙錐 dà shā-zhuī 'large snipe'	北鷸 běi yù 'northern yu'	チュウジシギ (中地鷸 or 中地鴫) chū ji-shigi 'medium ground shigi'		꺅도요사촌 kkyak-doyo-sachon 'kkyak doyo cousin' (i.e., cousin to Gallinago galliinago)
Gallinago gallinago Capella gallinago	Common snipe Fantail snipe	田鷸 tián-yù 'paddy yu'	扇尾沙錐 shàn-wěi shā-zhuī 'fan-tailed snipe'	扇尾鷸 shàn-wěi yù 'fan-tailed yu' 水 shuǐ-zhā 'water zha' (where the zha is a kind of water bird)	タシギ (田鷸 or 田鴫) ta-shigi 'paddy shigi'		꺅도요 kkyak-doyo 'kkyak doyo' (kkyak may refer to cry)	Dẽ giun 'worm de' Dẽ giun thường 'common worm de' (13)
Limnodromus
Limnodromus scolopaceus	Long-billed dowitcher Long-billed reedhaunter	長嘴半蹼鷸 cháng-zuǐ bàn-pǔ yù 'long-billed half-webbed yu'	長嘴半蹼鷸 cháng-zuǐ bàn-pǔ yù 'long-billed half-webbed yu'	沙溜子 shā liúzi 'sand liuzi' 小水扎子 xiǎo shuǐ zhāzi 'small water zhazi'	オオハシシギ (大嘴鷸 or 大嘴鴫) ō-hashi shigi 'large-billed shigi'		긴부리도요 gin-buri-doyo 'long-billed doyo'	Dẽ mỏ dài 'long-billed de' (13) Not found in 12
Limnodromus semipalmatus	Asian dowitcher Asiatic dowitcher	半蹼鷸 bàn-pǔ yù 'half-webbed yu'	半蹼鷸 bàn-pǔ yù 'half-webbed yu'		シベリアオオハシシギ (シベリア大嘴鷸 or シベリア大嘴鴫) Shiberia ō-hashi shigi 'Siberian large-billed shigi'		큰부리도요 keun-buri-doyo 'large-billed doyo'	Dẽ chân màng lớn 'large web-footed de'
Latin	English	Chinese (Taiwan)	Chinese (Mainland)	Other Ch	Japanese	Other J	Korean	Vietnamese

TRINGINAE
SCIENTIFIC & ENGLISH		CHINESE			JAPANESE		OTHER
Latin	English	Chinese (Taiwan)	Chinese (Mainland)	Other Ch	Japanese	Other J	Korean	Vietnamese
Limosa
Limosa limosa	Black-tailed godwit	黑尾鷸 hēi-wěi yù 'black-tailed yu'	黑尾塍鷸 hēi-wěi chéng-yù 'black-tailed paddy-path yu'		オグロシギ (尾黒鷸 or 尾黒鴫) o-guro shigi 'black-tailed shigi'		흑꼬리도요 heuk-kkori-doyo 'black-tailed doyo'	Choắt mỏ thẳng đuôi đen 'black-tailed straight-billed choat'
Limosa lapponica	Bar-tailed godwit	斑尾鷸 bān-wěi yù 'spot/stripe-tailed yu'	斑尾塍鷸 bān-wěi chéng-yù 'spot/stripe-tailed paddy-path yu'		オオソリハシシギ (大反嘴鷸 or 大反嘴鴫) ō sori-hashi shigi 'large curved-billed shigi'		큰뒷부리도요 keun-dwit-buri-doyo 'large back-billed (?) doyo'	Choắt mỏ thẳng đuôi vằn 'stripe-tailed straight-billed choat'
Numenius
Numenius minutus	Little curlew Little whimbrel	小杓鷸 xiǎo sháo-yù 'small spoon yu'	小杓鷸 xiǎo sháo-yù 'small spoon yu'	小油老罐 xiǎo yóu lǎo guàn 'little oil old can' 吉吉格－套套 jíjígé tàotào 'small taotao' (appears to be Mongolian) 勒金 lè jīn 'le-jin'	コシャクシギ (小杓鷸 or 小杓鴫) ko shaku-shigi 'small ladle shigi'		쇠부리도요 soe-buri-doyo 'small-billed doyo'
Numenius phaeopus	Whimbrel	中杓鷸 zhōng sháo-yù 'medium spoon yu'	中杓鷸 zhōng sháo-yù 'medium spoon yu'		チュウシャクシギ (中杓鷸 or 中杓鴫) chū shaku-shigi 'medium ladle shigi'		중부리도요 jung-buri-doyo 'medium-billed doyo	Choắt mỏ cong bé 'tiny curved-bill choat'
Numenius arquata	Eurasian curlew Western curlew Curlew Common curlew	大杓鷸 dà sháo-yù 'large spoon yu'	白腰杓鷸 bái-yāo sháo-yù 'white-rumped spoon yu'	杓鷸 sháo-yù 'spoon yu'	ダイシャクシギ (大杓鷸 or 大杓鴫) dai shaku-shigi 'large ladle shigi'		마도요 ma-doyo 'horse doyo'	Choắt mỏ cong lớn 'large curved-bill choat'
Numenius madagascariensis	Far eastern curlew or Eastern curlew Red-rumped curlew Australian curlew	黦鷸 yuè yù 'yellowish-black yu'	大杓鷸 dà sháo-yù 'large spoon yu' (1, 2, 3, 4) 紅腰杓鷸 hóng-yāo sháo-yù 'red-rumped spoon yu' (5. Alternative in 1)	大嘍兒 dà lóur 'large lour'	ホウロクシギ (焙烙鷸 or 焙烙鴫) hōroku shigi 'baking-pan shigi'		알락꼬리마도요 allak-kkori-ma-doyo 'speckled-tailed horse doyo'	Choắt mỏ cong hông nâu 'brown-rumped curved-bill choat'
Latin	English	Chinese (Taiwan)	Chinese (Mainland)	Other Ch	Japanese	Other J	Korean	Vietnamese
Tringa
Tringa erythropus	Spotted redshank	鶴鷸 hè yù 'crane yu'	鶴鷸 hè yù 'crane yu' (1, 2, 3, 4) 紅腳鶴鷸 hóng-jiǎo hè yù 'red-legged crane yu' (5. Alternative in 1)		ツルシギ (鶴鷸 or 鶴鴫) tsuru shigi 'crane shigi'		학도요 hak-doyo 'crane doyo'	Choắt chân đỏ 'red-legged choat'
Tringa totanus	Common redshank	赤足鷸 chì-zú yù 'red-legged yu'	紅腳鷸 hóng-jiǎo yù 'red-legged yu'		アカアシシギ (赤足鷸 or 赤足鴫) aka-ashi shigi 'red-legged shigi'	アカガネシギ (銅鷸 or 銅鴫) aka-gane shigi 'copper shigi'	붉은발도요 bulgeun-bal-doyo 'red-footed doyo'	Choắt nâu 'brown choat'
Tringa stagnatilis	Marsh sandpiper	小青足鷸 xiǎo qīng-zú yù 'small green-legged yu'	澤鷸 zé yù 'marsh yu'		コアオアシシギ (小青足鷸 or 小青足鴫) ko ao-ashi shigi 'small green-legged shigi'		쇠청다리도요 soe-cheong-dari-doyo 'small green-legged doyo'	Choắt đốm đen 'black spotted choat'
Tringa nebularia	Common greenshank Greenshank	青足鷸 qīng-zú yù 'green-legged yu'	青腳鷸 qīng-jiǎo yú 'green-legged yu'		アオアシシギ (青足鷸 or 青足鴫) ao-ashi shigi 'green-legged shigi'		청다리도요 cheong-dari-doyo 'green-legged doyo'	Choắt lớn 'large choat'
Tringa guttifer	Nordmann's greenshank Spotted greenshank	諾氏鷸 Nuò-shì yù 'Mr Nuo's yu'	小青腳鷸 xiǎo qīng-jiǎo yù 'small green-legged yu'		カラフトアオアシシギ (樺太青足鷸 or 樺太青足鴫) Karafuto ao-ashi shigi 'Sakhalin green-legged shigi'		청다리도요사촌 cheong-dari-doyo-sachon 'green-legged doyo cousin' or 쇠청다리도요사촌 soe-cheong-dari-doyo-sachon 'small green-legged doyo cousin'	Choắt lớn mỏ vàng 'golden-billed large choat'
Latin	English	Chinese (Taiwan)	Chinese (Mainland)	Other Ch	Japanese	Other J	Korean	Vietnamese
Tringa flavipes	Lesser yellowlegs Lesser yellowleg	小黃腳鷸 xiǎo huáng-jiǎo yù 'small yellow-legged yu'	小黄腳鷸 xiǎo huáng-jiǎo yù 'small yellow-legged yu'		コキアシシギ (小黄足鷸 or 小黄足鴫) ko ki-ashi shigi 'small yellow-legged shigi'
Tringa ochropus	Green sandpiper	白腰草鷸 bái-yāo cǎo yù 'white-rumped grass yu'	白腰草鷸 bái-yāo cǎo yù 'white-rumped grass yu'	白尾梢 bái-wěi shào 'white-tailed shao' 水鷙 shuǐ zhì 'water zhi'	クサシギ (草鷸 or 草鴫) kusa-shigi 'grass shigi'		삑삑도요 ppikppik-doyo 'ppik ppik doyo'	Choắt bụng trắng 'white-bellied choat'
Tringa glareola	Wood sandpiper	鷹斑鷸 yīng bān yù 'hawk-striped yu'	林鷸 lín yù 'forest yu'	水鷙 shuǐ zhì 'water zhi'	タカブシギ (鷹斑鷸 or 鷹斑鴫) taka-bu shigi 'hawk-striped shigi'		알락도요 allak-doyo 'speckled doyo'	Choắt bụng xám 'grey-bellied choat'
Xenus
Xenus cinereus Tringa cinerea Tringa cinereus	Terek sandpiper	反嘴鷸 fǎn-zuǐ yù 'reverse-billed yu'	翹嘴鷸 qiáo-zuǐ yù 'curved bill yu'		ソリハシシギ (反嘴鷸 or 反嘴鴫) sori-hashi shigi 'curved-bill shigi'		뒷부리도요 dwit-buri-doyo 'back-billed (?) doyo'	Choắt chân màng bé ' tiny web-footed choat'
Actitis
Actitis hypoleucos Tringa hypoleucos	Common sandpiper	磯鷸 jī yù 'rocky-shore yu'	磯鷸 jī yù 'rocky-shore yu'	小水鷙 xiǎo shuǐzhì 'small water zhi'	イソシギ (磯鷸 or 磯鴫) iso-shigi 'rocky-shore shigi'		깝작도요 kkapjakdoyo 'light-floating (?) doyo'	Choắt nhỏ 'small choat'
Heteroscelus
Heteroscelus brevipes Tringa brevipes	Grey-tailed tattler Asian tattler Grey-rumped sandpiper	黃足鷸 huáng-zú yù 'yellow-legged yu'	灰尾漂鷸 huī-wěi piāo-yù 'grey-tailed floating yu' or 灰尾鷸 huī-wěi yù 'grey-tailed yu' (Alternative in 1, 3, 5)		キアシシギ (黄足鷸 or 黄足鴫) ki-ashi shigi 'yellow-legged shigi'		노랑발도요 norang-bal-doyo 'yellow-footed doyo'	Choắt lùn đuôi xám 'grey-tailed dwarf choat'
Heteroscelus incanus Tringa incana Heteroscelus incana	Wandering tattler American tattler	美洲黃足鷸 Měizhōu huáng-zú yù 'American yellow-legged yu'	漂鷸 piāo-yù 'floating yu' or 灰鷸 huī yù 'grey yu' (Alternative in 1)		メリケンキアシシギ (メリケン黄足鷸 or メリケン黄足鴫) Meriken ki-ashi shigi 'American yellow-legged shigi'
Latin	English	Chinese (Taiwan)	Chinese (Mainland)	Other Ch	Japanese	Other J	Korean	Vietnamese

Scolopacidae / 鷸科 (Yù kē)

General names

2. Species names