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Long-billed Dowitcher
Birds diurnal

Long-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus scolopaceus

Master of the mudflats, the Long-billed Dowitcher is a marvel of precision, using its sensitive bill like a sewing machine to find hidden treasures in the silt. Watch for their stunning transformation from winter gray to vibrant cinnamon as they stop over on their incredible journey to the Arctic.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 11–12 inches (28–31 cm); Wingspan: 18–21 inches (46–54 cm); Weight: 3.2–5.3 oz (90–150 g)

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Colors

In spring, adults are deep rufous-orange on the neck and underparts with dark mottling on the back. In winter, they are a uniform drab gray. They feature a white rump patch visible only in flight.

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Key Features

  • Extraordinarily long, straight bill, often twice the length of the head
  • Dull greenish to yellowish legs
  • Distinctive white 'wedge' on the lower back visible when flying
  • Rapid vertical 'sewing machine' probing motion while feeding

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal
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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-6 PM
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Season April-May and August-October
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Diet Primarily aquatic invertebrates, including midge larvae, beetles, and small mollusks. They also consume seeds from aquatic plants, especially during the winter months.
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Habitat Freshwater wetlands, muddy pond edges, flooded agricultural fields, and shallow marshes.

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Behavior

Long-billed Dowitchers are highly social shorebirds, often found in dense, energetic flocks during migration. Their most famous behavior is their feeding style; they move across mudflats with their heads down, probing the mud with a rapid, rhythmic vertical motion that birders call 'the sewing machine.' They are often seen standing chest-deep in water, seemingly oblivious to anything other than the mud beneath them.

While they are generally peaceful birds when feeding, males perform elaborate aerial displays during the breeding season, chasing females in high-speed maneuvers. In your backyard or local wetland, you’ll likely see them interacting with other shorebirds, though they tend to stay in their own tight-knit groups, moving as a single unit when spooked.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of a Long-billed Dowitcher, your camera placement is critical. These birds are 'edge' specialists, meaning they spend almost all their time at the very margin of water and mud. Position your camera just a few inches above the ground on a low-profile stake or a weighted base. Aiming the lens horizontally across the mudflat rather than downward from a high bank will provide an intimate, 'eye-level' perspective that makes for stunning, professional-looking footage.

Because dowitchers move their heads so rapidly while feeding, you need a camera with a fast trigger speed and high-frame-rate video capabilities. If your AI camera allows for custom shutter settings, try to keep them high to avoid 'motion blur' on that busy bill. Since they are often found in open, bright environments like mudflats, ensure your lens is shaded to prevent sun flare, which can wash out the intricate patterns of their plumage.

While you cannot easily 'bait' shorebirds like you might a songbird or a fox, you can attract them by maintaining a 'soft edge' on your property if you have a pond or water feature. Avoid tall grass right up to the water’s edge; instead, provide a shallow, muddy slope. If you are using a trail camera, look for 'probe holes' in the mud—tiny clusters of holes about the diameter of a pencil—which indicate that dowitchers or other shorebirds have recently been foraging there. Place your camera facing these active feeding spots during the peak migration months of April and September.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Long-billed Dowitcher.

Short-billed Dowitcher

Almost identical in appearance; Short-billeds prefer coastal saltwater and have a more musical, three-note 'tu-tu-tu' call.

Wilson's Snipe

Snipes have more prominent stripes on their head and back, shorter legs, and prefer crouching in tall grass rather than standing in open mud.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are primarily diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. You will see the highest level of activity during the early morning and late afternoon when light is softer and they are focused on fueling up for their migration.
Dowitchers are attracted to shallow, freshwater mudflats. If you have a pond, keeping the water level low to expose mud or creating a shallow, vegetation-free shoreline is the best way to invite them in.
They use their long, sensitive bills to probe deep into the mud for midge larvae, worms, and small crustaceans. They are also known to eat seeds from marsh plants during the colder months.
They are common in suburban areas that feature wetlands, retention ponds, or flooded parks, particularly during the spring and fall migration seasons.
They are nearly identical! The best way to tell them apart is by their call; the Long-billed gives a sharp 'keek' sound, while the Short-billed gives a mellow 'tu-tu-tu.' Additionally, Long-billeds prefer fresh water, whereas Short-billeds are more common in saltwater environments.

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