Short-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus griseus
The Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) is a common sandpiper found in 61 countries, weighing about 111 g. The short-billed dowitcher, like its congener, the long-billed dowitcher, is a medium-sized, stocky, long-billed shorebird in the family Scolopacidae.
About the Short-billed Dowitcher
The short-billed dowitcher, like its congener, the long-billed dowitcher, is a medium-sized, stocky, long-billed shorebird in the family Scolopacidae.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Adults' bodies are dark brown on top and reddish underneath. The tail has a black-and-white barred pattern, and the legs are yellowish. The three subspecies have slight variations in appearance: Limnodromus griseus griseus has a white belly and barred flanks. Limnodromus griseus hendersoni has a reddish belly and spotted flanks. Limnodromus griseus caurinus has a white belly, heavily barred flanks, and a densely spotted breast. None of these combines the reddish belly and barred flanks of the breeding plumage of the long-billed dowitcher. The winter plumage is largely grey.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Norway, France, Sweden, Taiwan, Iceland, Australia, Germany.
When to see it
Best months: April, May, July, August, September, October, with peak activity in August. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Short-billed Dowitcher?
- Adults' bodies are dark brown on top and reddish underneath. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Short-billed Dowitcher?
- The Short-billed Dowitcher is a medium sized bird weighing about 111 g.
- Where can you see a Short-billed Dowitcher?
- The Short-billed Dowitcher occurs in 61 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama.
- What birds look similar to a Short-billed Dowitcher?
- The Short-billed Dowitcher is most easily confused with the Long-billed Dowitcher and the Asian Dowitcher.
- Is the Short-billed Dowitcher endangered?
- The Short-billed Dowitcher is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Short-billed Dowitcher for real
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