Long-billed Dowitcher Similar Species Comparison

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.

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Similar 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.

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Main 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.

Nonbreeding/immature

Breeding adults

Note rather hunchbacked profile while foraging. Breeding birds are rich cinnamon below barred with black.

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Juvenile

Juveniles are grayish overall with rusty edging on feathers. Note rather front heavy look.

Nonbreeding/immature

In flight, white upper rump patch distinguishes it from many other shorebirds except Short-billed Dowitchers.

Breeding adult

Breeding birds have a cinnamon neck and underparts. Breeds in wet grassy meadows.

Juvenile

Front heavy, chunky shorebird with a round underbelly. Juveniles have a grayish breast and are mottled brown and cinnamon above.

Nonbreeding 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.

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