Species Name: (Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus)

Length: 11.5 inches (29 cm).

Description: A medium sized chunky shorebird with a long bill. Size falls between the familiar and widespread Killdeer and the larger and easily identified Black-necked Stilt and American Avocet. The long bill is straight and black, but may appear mottled or various brown or yellow colors from probing in mud. On resting or sleeping birds the bill may not be visible as it is often tucked into the feathers of the back. Legs are dark yellow, brownish-yellow, or greenish-yellow. Prominent white eyestripe in all plumages. Plump body and short neck contribute to chunky look. In flight shows prominent white wedge from tail to middle of back.

As with other shorebirds, shows two major plumage variations as a function of age and season. Winter birds (basic plumage) are grey or grey-tan above and whitish below. Breeding (alternate plumage) birds are rusty-red below and mottled red and dark brown above, with dark vertical marks on the flanks and dark scalloping on the breast.

Range: Breeds in narrow band at extreme northern edge of Canadian provinces and northwestern Alaska. Winters on southern edge of US, on east coast as far north as South Carolina, and along most of west coast and in California's central valley. Much more common in western US than in eastern part of range where it is more often seen as a scarce fall migrant.

Behavior: The archetypical "mud-sucker;" dowitchers feed in shallow water and on mudflats with a rapid and continuous up-and-down "sewing machine" motion, most often in groups.

Odd Facts: Previously known only as dowitchers; split from very similar Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus), with which it often flocks. Bill length of these two closely related species is not a reliable field mark as length overlaps.

Diet: Shoots, roots and seeds of grass, mollusks, grain, berries. Mostly grain and foliage in winter.

Odd Facts: Long term pair bond. Strong fidelity to nesting territory. Male usually leads young on water, and if disturbed, young will dive. Male performs distraction display; sentinels always guard foraging flocks and call to signal impending danger. Courting male holds head one inch off the ground, open-billed, raised tongue, hissing loudly. Aleutian sub-species is endangered.

Related or Similar Species: Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus), once lumped with Long-billed, is extremely similar in appearance. Best told apart by call note, or in juvenile plumage.

Identification: Feeding behavior is a good identification clue, along with bill size and shape. Compare size of suspected dowitchers to more easily identified and familiar species. Separating long-billed from short-billed can be difficult and is best done based on multiple field marks, experience, and consultation with advanced field guides. Field marks include the relative width of dark and light bands in the tail, extent of color on flanks, amount of barring on flanks, markings on side of throat (in fresh plumage), and the interior marking of feathers on the back and wings.

Advice on Finding and Photographing: In migration look for dowitchers at mudflats wherever other shorebirds are found. Approach "low and slow" to avoid spooking feeding flocks. Sit behind a lowered tripod near the water's edge and wait for feeding birds to approach. When choosing a place to wait be aware of the direction of the light and possible background problems. In tidal locations rising tides can force birds closer, but be alert to flooding problems. Higher shutter speeds can help with blur of the head on feeding birds; patience is necessary to catch a bird in those rare moments when the bill is completely exposed and not in motion. Since these birds often feed in flocks, in can be difficult to get an isolated bird. Be aware of partial or out of focus birds in other parts of the frame when shooting, and be careful of exposure on the lightest parts of the plumage (flanks, belly, eye stripe).

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