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To the Beauty of Birds

The Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) is a medium-sized shorebird. The genus name Limnodromus is Ancient Greek from limne, "marsh" and dromos, "racer". The specific scolopaceus is New Latin for "snipe-like", from Latin scolopax, scolopacis, a snipe or woodcock. The English name is from Iroquois and was first recorded in 1841.

Adults have yellowish legs and a long straight dark bill. The body is dark brown on top and reddish underneath with spotted throat and breast, bars on flanks. The tail has a black and white barred pattern. The winter plumage of both an adult and a juvenile is largely grey.

Their breeding habitat is wet tundra in the far north of North America and eastern Siberia. They nest on the ground, usually near water. They migrate to the southern United States and as far south as Central America.

These birds forage by probing in shallow water or on wet mud. They mainly eat insects, mollusks, crustaceans and marine worms, but also eat some plant material.
They are more likely to be seen near fresh water than the short-billed dowitcher.

Long-billed vs short-billed Dowitcher
These two very similar species have long been regarded by experts as unidentifiable in many field conditions unless their distinctive calls are heard. Recent careful assessment of subtle differences in structure and bill shape has allowed us to identify most birds in all plumages.

Long-billed Dowitcher: A husky, front-heavy weight distribution, thick neck and bulkier head.

Short-billed Dowitcher: More even weight distribution, thinner neck, and smaller head.

Long Billed Dowitcher