Willet

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

Willets are medium sized, wide-ranging shorebirds, found across the United States in both salt and fresh water environments.

Most breed in fresh water marshes and wetlands in Canada, the Upper Midwest and areas along the West Coast as far south as Central California.

Superficially they look a bit like Yellowlegs. One look at the dull colored legs tells you differently.

They are easier to identify in flight. Look for the black and white color in the wings.

The picture shows the Willet's relatively large size compared to the sandpipers in the foreground.

© 2006 Patricia A. Michaels