The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word CURLEW
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
C
U
R
L
E
W
More clues leading to the result CURLEW
- Winger's reminder to cover both sides and find width
- Wave beginning to engulf wife’s wader
- Bird used wings, heading off after dog
- Swine’s practically obscene going after bird
- Unusually cruel start to war for flier
- Scoundrel’s almost lascivious following bird
- Dog we left to run back for bird
- Team catching emu finally and, separately, large shore bird
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "shore bird" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case shore bird = curlew.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CURLEW mean?
CURLEW noun- Any of several migratory wading birds in the genus Numenius of the family Scolopacidae, remarkable for their long, slender, downcurved bills.
- A stone curlew.