Similar Species
Short-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 Species
Short-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, 2016Main Species
Long-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 adult
Breeding birds have a cinnamon neck and underparts. Breeds in wet grassy meadows.
© Eric Gofreed | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 15, 2017Breeding adults
Note rather hunchbacked profile while foraging. Breeding birds are rich cinnamon below barred with black.
© Larry Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 20, 2007Juvenile
Front heavy, chunky shorebird with a round underbelly. Juveniles have a grayish breast and are mottled brown and cinnamon above.
© David Turgeon | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, August 26, 2016Juvenile
Juveniles are grayish overall with rusty edging on feathers. Note rather front heavy look.
© Jamie Chavez | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 24, 2016Adult
In flight, white upper rump patch distinguishes it from many other shorebirds except Short-billed Dowitchers.
© Caroline Lambert | Macaulay LibraryAlberta, August 10, 2017Nonbreeding adult/immature
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, 2016