WilletWillet -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 15 inches | Wingspan: 27 inches | Seasonality: Summer/Migrant |
| ID Keys: Black and white wing pattern in flight. Straight heavy bill, thick gray legs, plain plumage when not in flight. | ||
Willet
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Willets appear to be rather plain, nondescript shorebirds when at rest, but display a striking black-and-white wing pattern when in flight. Willets have two distinct subpopulations, one nesting on the freshwater marshes in the interior of the country, and another favoring salt marshes along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
Habitat: Nests near freshwater marshes in South Dakota, preferably near native grasslands. Occurs in many aquatic habitats during migration and in winter.
Diet: Varies depending on location. On the northern Great Plains, insects make up a large portion of the diet. It also feeds on crustaceans, small mollusks, small fish, and some vegetation. On wintering grounds along the coasts, Willets consume large numbers of crabs and other crustaceans, small fish, and marine worms.
Nesting: June
Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey Map
Song: Willet Song
Migrations: Summers in the northern Great Plains and parts of the western U.S. Winters along coastlines of the U.S., Mexico, and Central America.
Similar Species: Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs
Status: Numbers were seriously depleted in the 19th century due to hunting pressure. Numbers have recovered since, but local declines have been noted in some areas due to habitat loss.
Further Information:
1) USGS
Patuxent
Bird Identification InfoCenter, Willet
2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Willet
Photo Information: April 30th, 2005 -- Highway 81 Lakes north of Madison -- Terry L. Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Willet 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
