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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CLVIII
Field-journal plate: Short-billed Dowitcher
The Short-billed Dowitcher plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CLVIII

Short-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus griseus

Scolopacidae · Taxon 3869

Length9.1–12.6 in (23–32 cm)
Wingspan18–22 in (46–56 cm)
Weight2.6–5.5 oz (73–155 g)

Field marks

  1. Chunky, elongated body with a short neck
  2. Very long, straight, dark bill and dark eye
  3. Moderately long olive to yellow-green legs
  4. Breeding plumage mottled brown, black, and gold above, with pale cinnamon underparts and dark spotting or barring
  5. Nonbreeding plumage gray-brown above and pale below, with barred flanks
  6. Long, pointed wings and a short barred tail; white upper rump visible in flight

HabitatBreeds in boreal wetlands near treeline, including bogs, marshes, wet meadows, lake margins, and floodplains. During migration and winter it favors shallow estuaries, lagoons, tidal flats, salt marshes, muddy pond or river margins, flooded fields, and other freshwater or brackish wetlands.

BehaviorWades in shallow water or walks wet mud, probing deeply with the bill in a rapid sewing-machine motion for buried invertebrates. Often feeds, rests, and preens in peaceful flocks.

Palette

cinnamonwarm brownblacksoft graywhite