Long-billed Dowitcher Feeding At Mudflat Royalty-Free Stock Photo

Long-billed Dowitcher feeding at mudflat, it is a plump, medium-sized shorebird with very long bill. Extremely similar to Short-billed Dowitcher, and often flocks with it. Best distinguished by voice: a sharp, high-pitched “keek!” note, sometimes given in a series, unlike lower-pitched “tu-tu-tu” call of Short-billed. At all ages, look for subtle structural differences: Long-billed averages more hunch-backed, slightly longer-billed, and slightly taller, especially noticeable when in a mixed flock. Breeding birds have solidly salmon-orange underparts and rather dark upperparts with narrow rufous edges and white tips.