loading...
A photo of a Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus)
Short-billed Dowitcher

Short-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus griseus

The short-billed dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus), like its congener the long-billed dowitcher, is a medium-sized, stocky, long-billed shorebird in the family Scolopacidae. It is an inhabitant of North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. It is strongly migratory; it completely vacates in breeding areas during the snow-bound months. This species favors a variety of habitats including tundra in the north to ponds and mudflats in the south. It feeds on invertebrates often by rapidly probing its bill into mud in a sewing machine fashion. It and the very similar long-billed dowitcher were considered one species until 1950. Field identification of the two American Limnodromus remains difficult today. Distinguishing wintering or juvenile short-billed dowitchers from the long-billed species is very difficult and, even given examination their subtlety different body shapes, cannot always be isolated to a particular species. They differ most substantially in vocalizations. The names of American dowitchers are misleading, as there is much overlap in their bill lengths. Only a small percentage can be identified by this character alone.
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community of curious everyday people connecting with the natural world
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community

Short-billed Dowitchers on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
🦜
Yves Darveau
Saturday 27 May 2023 - 8:24pm
Canada
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Sara Canizales
Sara Canizales
Friday 26 May 2023 - 1:26pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
🦉
Jordan Retsinas
Monday 22 May 2023 - 7:52pm
Canada
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Raymond Bedard
Raymond Bedard
Sunday 21 May 2023 - 10:51am
United States
Connect with nature,
Find your flock
Copyright © 2023 Chirp Birding Ltd. All rights reserved.