Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus)
About Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus)
- Kingdom: Animals
- Phylum: Chordates
- Class: Birds
- Order: Pelicans
- Family: Sandpipers and Allies
A medium-sized (10 ½ - 12 inches) sandpiper, the Short-billed Dowitcher in summer is most easily identified by its mottled gray back, rufous neck, and long bill (although somewhat shorter than the bill of the related Long-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus). In winter, this species becomes mottled gray above and solid gray below. Field marks visible at any time of year include a conspicuous dark eye-stripe, green legs, and pale belly. Male and female Short-billed Dowitchers are similar to one another in all seasons. The Short-billed Dowitcher breeds in three main populations: the first along the coast of southern Alaska and nearby areas of Canada, the second in the plains of western Canada, and the third along the Hudson Bay east to Quebec. This species is a long-distance migrant, wintering along the coasts from California and the Mid-Atlantic south to northern South America. This species primarily migrates up and down the coasts, and populations that nest in the interior turn inland only after they have reached New England or southern Canada. Short-billed Dowitchers breed in swampy areas of northern forests, often near the tree line at the edge of the tundra. This species is heavily associated with saltwater during the winter, being found on mud flats in salt marshes, coastal lagoons, and shallow mangrove wetlands in the tropics. Short-billed Dowitchers primarily eat small invertebrates, with insects being preferred in summer and small saltwater aquatic animals being preferred in winter. Due to the relative inaccessibility of this species’ breeding grounds, most birdwatchers never observe Short-billed Dowitchers during the summer months. In winter, when this species is more common near populated areas, Short-billed Dowitchers are most easily seen standing on mudflats while probing for food in the mud with their bills. This species is primarily active during the day, but may migrate at night as well as during the day.
Unknown
Visits
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2006-02-23Berkeley Marina, United States of America
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2006-04-19Candlestick Park, United States of America
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2007-04-11San Diego Estuary, United States of America
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2007-04-13Candlestick Park, United States of America
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2008-01-09La Bajada, Mexico
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2008-02-25San Jose del Cabo - Estuary, Mexico
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2009-01-14Cozumel, Mexico
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2009-01-22Cay Caulker, Belize
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2010-05-29Potter Marsh, United States of America
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2012-04-14Heron's Head Park, United States of America
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2012-08-12Redwood Shores - Radio Road, United States of America
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2012-08-12Foster City Beach, United States of America
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2013-04-16Aransas NWR (CTC 037) (Aransas Co.), United States of America
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2013-04-17Brazoria NWR (UTC 108), United States of America
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2021-04-06Ocean Beach, United States of America
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2021-07-18Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, United States of America
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2023-05-16Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, United States of America
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2023-05-17Stone Harbor Wetlands Institute, United States of America
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2023-05-18Cape May Point State Park, United States of America
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2023-05-18Shell Bay Landing, United States of America
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2023-05-18Cape May National Wildlife Refuge - Two Mile Beach, United States of America
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2023-05-20Heislerville Wildlife Management Area, United States of America
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2024-02-03Cayo Coco, Cuba
