Long-bill Dowitcher

The Long-bill Dowitcher are a medium size, chunky, dark shorebird.  They have long, straight bill and pale eyebrows.  They feed in mud or shallow water.

 

They prop their heads with a rapid jobbing motion.  When they fly a white wedge from  berried tail to middle of the back. They prefer the freshwater.  At times they have been seen in coastal estuaries.

They feed on insects and other invertebrates, and seeds.

 

Males gather    in spring on "leks" and display to attract females.  Females visits lek , then mates with one of the males.  The male  takes no part in caring for the eggs or the young. The female lay about 4 eggs.  It takes 20 to 23 days for the eggs to hatch.

This is a Short-bill Dowitcher that DesertDale took at the ocean, when we were there last June.  The short-bill are a only a shore bird.

Enjoy the posting.  Kitfoxgal