Birds of North America

Dowitchers

Limnodromus

Lives, Habitats & Pictures of the Dowitchers

There are two types of dowitchers in North America, the Long-billed Dowitcher and the Short-billed Dowitcher. The Short-billed covers a larger range, commonly seen from the west coast to the east coast. The Long-billed is more likely to be seen in the western areas of the continent down into Texas and into Mexico. These two bird types are quite similar in size to each other and to the snipes and woodcocks, each of these birds having long bills too.

Dowitchers travel with other shorebirds in their spring and fall migrations. Sometimes seen in large numbers of their own kind and mixed flocks. These birds are more likely to be observed travelling in their migrations than any other times of the year, showing up on different coastlines, at the edge of the waters and on shorelines and mudflats in the interior of the continent. They use their long bills to probe deep into the soft mud and sand, searching for worms and other life forms hidden there. Most times, dowitchers are easy to approach, allowing close observation, as they go about their own business.


Click on the bird names listed below to see pictures of Dowitchers

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Classic Collection of North American Birds

CCNAB