Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Dowitchers
Bécassins
Scolopacidae
Lives, Habitats & Pictures of the Dowitchers
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
North American Bird Search Box
There are two types of dowitchers in North America, the Long-billed Dowitcher and the Short-billed Dowitcher. The Short-billed Dowitcher covers a larger range and is commonly seen from the west coast to the east coast. The Long-billed Dowitcher is more likely to be seen in the western areas of the continent down into Texas and Mexico. These two bird types are quite similar to each other in size and to snipes and woodcocks, as each of these birds have long bills too.
The dowitchers travel with other shorebirds in their Spring and Fall migrations. They are sometimes seen in large numbers with their own kind and also with mixed flocks. These birds are more likely to be observed traveling in their migrations than any other times of the year. They show up on different coastlines, at the edge of the water 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 and allow close observation as they go about their own business.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.