Long-billed Dowitcher -- South Dakota Birds

Long-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus scolopaceus

Very similar to its close relative, the Short-billed Dowitcher, with only a slightly longer bill.  Major differences lie in their different voices and their habitat preference, as the Long-billed Dowitcher prefers freshwater, while the Short-billed Dowitcher is more often found in saltwater.  The photo at the right shows a duller winter-plumaged bird. 

Habitat: Mudflats, flooded fields and pastures, marshes, sloughs, and shallow ponds. 

Diet: Variety of items depending on location and season.  Will feed on insects and insect larvae, mollusks, crustaceans, and seeds of aquatic and terrestrial plants.

Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota

Song: Long-billed Dowitcher song

Migrations: Summers in extreme northern Alaska and northwestern Canada.  Winters along U.S. coasts, Mexico, and Central America.

Similar Species: Short-billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Snipe

Status: Possibly increasing in numbers.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Long-billed Dowitcher

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Long-billed Dowitcher"

3) E-nature.com: Long-billed Dowitcher

Photo Information: September 30th, 2004 -- Lake Thompson -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Loggerhead Shrike photos.

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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl

This page was last edited on 02/03/08