Long-billed Dowitcher Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesLong-billed Dowitcher
Breeding adult
Front heavy, chunky shorebird with a long bill (twice as long as its head). Breeding birds are bright cinnamon below and darker brown above. Has a distinctive sewing-machine-like feeding behavior.
© Tyler Ficker / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 12, 2018Breeding adults
Note rather hunchbacked profile while foraging. Breeding birds are rich cinnamon below barred with black.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 20, 2007Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles are grayish overall with rusty edging on feathers. Note rather front heavy look.
© Paul Jones / Macaulay LibraryOntario, September 29, 2020Nonbreeding/immature
In flight, white upper rump patch distinguishes it from many other shorebirds except Short-billed Dowitchers.
© Jerry Ting / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 27, 2020Breeding adult
Breeding birds have a cinnamon neck and underparts. Breeds in wet grassy meadows.
© Sulli Gibson / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 17, 2019Juvenile
Front heavy, chunky shorebird with a round underbelly. Juveniles have a grayish breast and are mottled brown and cinnamon above.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, September 07, 2019Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding birds are grayish overall. When foraging the back looks humped, unlike the flat-backed Short-billed Dowitcher. Note chunky, front-heavy posture and sewing-machine-like head motion while feeding.
© Sean Fitzgerald / Macaulay LibraryArizona, September 25, 2016Similar SpeciesShort-billed Dowitcher
Breeding adult (hendersoni)
Short-billed Dowitchers have a shorter bill than Long-billed Dowitchers, but there is overlap in bill size. Body shape is a better field mark than bill size. Note slimmer underbelly than Long-billed Dowitchers.
© Joshua Haas / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, May 14, 2016Similar SpeciesShort-billed Dowitcher
Nonbreeding adult
The lower belly on Short-billed Dowitchers appears slimmer than the rotund bellies of Long-billed Dowitchers. The two species are very similar; voice is the best way to tell them apart.
© Tom Edell / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 30, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Sandpipers and Allies(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Scolopacidae)
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