The Long-billed Dowitcher

Types of Birds Home

Types of Shorebirds American Avocet Black-necked Stilt Black Oyster Catcher Black Turnstone Dunlin Greater Yellowlegs Killdeer Long-billed Curlew Long-billed Dowitcher Least Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs Marbled Godwit Pectoral Sandpiper Red-necked Phalarope Sanderling Semipalmated Plover Spotted Sandpiper Surfbird Western Sandpiper Willet Wilson's Phalarope

The Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) is a common shorebird on the West and Gulf Coasts. It also has a toehold on the coast of the Southern Atlantic states

Known for its long bill, it can often be mistaken for the short-billed dowitcher. It is practically impossible to distinguish them in the wild unless they are standing next to eachother.

This picture shows the Long-billed Dowithcher in non-breeding plumage. It is a rather indistinct gray and white color. During breeding season the plumage turns various shades of red and orange.

Like many other shorebirds, dowitcher diets consist primarily of insects and other organisms found in and around their mudflat habitat.

© 2006 Patricia A. Michaels