Willet

The Willet, Tringa semipalmata, stands as a robust figure among shorebirds, the largest of its genus known as "shanks." It bears a resemblance to the lesser yellowlegs, particularly in the fine, clear, and dense pattern gracing its neck during breeding plumage. This bird is a familiar sight across North America and the West Indies, migrating to warmer climes in the southern reaches of the continent during the winter months.

Identification Tips

In flight, the Willet is unmistakable with its striking white wing band visible from above and below. On the ground, its gray legs and straight, stout bill are key identifiers. The plumage is generally gray with a white rump, and a white underbelly. A white area above the lores and a narrow whitish eye ring give it a bespectacled look. Breeding adults exhibit brown barring on their upperparts, while non-breeding individuals are more subdued in coloration.

Habitat

The Willet's breeding habitat varies between subspecies: the eastern Willet favors coastal saltmarshes, while the western counterpart opts for freshwater prairie marshes and other inland wetlands. Come winter, both subspecies are found along coasts, from rocky shores to sandy beaches, mudflats, and coastal marshes.

Distribution

This bird breeds in North America and the West Indies, wintering in the southern United States, Central America, the West Indies, and South America. There are two recognized subspecies, the eastern T. s. semipalmata and the western T. s. inornata, each with distinct breeding and wintering ranges.

Behaviour

Willets are territorial, exhibiting this trait during both breeding and wintering periods. They may form loose colonies or groups, but are vigilant and often the first to sound an alarm. Their displays are a visual treat, with wings held stiffly and downcurved in flight, and a ground display that highlights their unique underwing pattern.

Song & Calls

The Willet's name is derived from its loud, piercing "pill-will-willet" territorial song. The Eastern Willet's call is higher pitched and more rapid than that of the Western. Additional calls include a predator response "kleep," an anxious "kip-kip-viek," and a "kreei" alarm call. The "klay-dir" call serves as a contact call during migration.

Breeding

Nesting is a collaborative effort, with the male leading the female through potential sites until she selects one. The nest is a simple depression, often lined with grass and pebbles. Long-term monogamous bonds are common, with both sexes sharing incubation duties. The female may depart before the young fledge, leaving them in the male's care.

Diet and Feeding

Willets are opportunistic feeders, hunting by walking and pecking or probing into mud and silt. They consume a variety of prey, including crabs, worms, clams, and insects. They are also known to wade into water to pursue more mobile prey like fish and aquatic insects.

Conservation status

The Willet is currently classified as Least Concern, though populations have declined since the 1960s. The western subspecies faces threats from habitat loss due to agriculture and coastal development. Conservation efforts, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, have helped stabilize numbers. Estimates suggest a total population of 250,000 in North America, with a potential discrepancy between the numbers of eastern and western subspecies.