Birdsong field guide
Long-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus scolopaceus
A medium-sized, stocky shorebird known for its disproportionately long bill and distinctive 'sewing machine' feeding behavior in shallow mudflats.
What it sounds like
A sharp, high-pitched, thin 'keek', often delivered as a single note or in a rapid series.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- Distinguished in breeding plumage by deep rufous underparts that extend all the way to the undertail coverts.
- Feeds by probing vertically into the substrate with rapid, rhythmic head movements, using sensitive bill tips to detect prey.
- Highly similar to the Short-billed Dowitcher, though it tends to prefer freshwater habitats more frequently during migration.
- Breeds in the high Arctic tundra of western Alaska and eastern Siberia before embarking on long-distance migrations.
- The tail feathers typically feature dark bars that are wider than the white bars, a subtle field mark for identification.
Habitat
Wet tundra for breeding; marshes, mudflats, and shallow freshwater or brackish pools during migration and winter.
Range
Breeds in the Arctic; migrates across North America to wintering grounds in the southern US, Mexico, and Central America.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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