Birds Active during the day

Long-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus scolopaceus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A master of the marshes, the Long-billed Dowitcher is easily recognized by its rapid 'sewing machine' feeding style and impressive profile. This Arctic traveler brings a touch of wild tundra beauty to backyard wetlands during its incredible continental migrations.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 27–30 cm (10.6–11.8 in); Wingspan: 46–52 cm (18–20 in); Weight: 90–120 g (3.2–4.2 oz)

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Colors

Breeding adults have rufous (reddish-orange) underparts and necks with dark barring on the sides. Non-breeding plumage is a drab grayish-brown. Both phases feature a white cigar-shaped patch on the lower back.

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Key Features

Extremely long, straight bill often twice the length of the head
Rapid, vertical 'sewing machine' probing motion while feeding
White wedge-shaped patch on the lower back visible during flight
Dull yellowish or greenish legs

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season April-May and August-October

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Diet Primarily aquatic invertebrates such as insect larvae (especially midges), mollusks, crustaceans, and marine worms found by probing deep into soft substrate.

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Habitat Freshwater wetlands, flooded agricultural fields, muddy pond edges, and occasionally brackish coastal lagoons.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Long-billed Dowitcher Live?

The Long-billed Dowitcher is native to North America and the eastern reaches of Siberia. During the breeding season, they are found almost exclusively in the wet Arctic tundra of Alaska, Western Canada, and Russia. As a migratory species, they travel south to spend their winters across the southern United States—stretching from California across the Gulf Coast—as well as throughout Mexico and Central America. Unlike their short-billed cousins, they show a strong preference for inland freshwater habitats during their journey.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

7 Countries

5.4M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States MX Mexico CA Canada Russia GT Guatemala SV El Salvador HN Honduras

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

Sea level – 2,000 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Long-billed Dowitcher is famous for its distinctive foraging technique, often described as 'sewing machine' feeding. They probe their long, sensitive bills vertically into soft mud with incredible speed, rarely lifting the bill out of the water as they walk along shorelines. This rhythmic, piston-like motion helps them locate invertebrates hidden deep beneath the surface through tactile sensation rather than sight.

These birds are highly social and are typically seen in dense, energetic flocks during migration and winter. When disturbed, the entire flock may take flight simultaneously, twisting and turning in unison to reveal the bright white patches on their backs. While they are generally indifferent to humans at a distance, they are quick to fly if approached too closely on open mudflats.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture the Long-billed Dowitcher, camera placement is everything. These birds are 'edge specialists,' so you should position your camera at the very margin of a muddy shoreline or shallow puddle, no more than 2-4 inches deep. Mounting the camera as low as possible—ideally just a few inches off the ground—will provide a stunning 'eye-level' perspective that emphasizes the length of their bill and their unique feeding posture.

Because their feeding motion is so rapid, standard trail camera trigger speeds may result in blurred images. If your camera allows, use a high-speed 'Burst Mode' or set your video to 60fps (frames per second) to capture the mechanical precision of their bill hitting the mud. Ensure the camera is pointed away from the direct reflection of the sun on the water to avoid overexposed 'hot spots' that can trigger the sensor falsely or wash out the bird's rufous colors.

While you can't easily bait shorebirds with food, you can attract them by maintaining a 'mudflat' environment. If you have a backyard pond, slightly lowering the water level during the spring (April) or fall (September) migration window to expose fresh mud will act as a natural magnet. Early morning light is best for capturing the rich oranges of their breeding plumage, so position your camera facing West/Northwest to catch the morning sun on the bird's breast.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Long-billed Dowitcher.

Short-billed Dowitcher

Nearly identical; the Short-billed version prefers saltwater habitats and has a more 'mellow' tu-tu-tu call compared to the Long-billed's sharp 'keek'.

Wilson's Snipe

The Snipe has prominent buffy stripes down its back and more secretive behavior, usually hiding in tall grass rather than standing in open mud.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Long-billed Dowitchers are primarily diurnal, meaning they are most active during daylight hours. You will find them most energetic during the early morning and late afternoon when they feed heavily to fuel their long migrations.

The best way to attract them is to provide a shallow, muddy water source. They don't visit traditional bird feeders, but they are highly attracted to flooded lawns, muddy pond edges, or shallow garden wetlands during migration periods.

Their diet consists almost entirely of small invertebrates. They use their long bills to find midge larvae, worms, and small snails buried in the mud, acting as natural pest controllers for aquatic environments.

They are common visitors to suburban areas that have retention ponds, golf course water hazards, or nearby agricultural fields, especially during the spring and fall migration months.

It is notoriously difficult! The Long-billed usually prefers freshwater, has a sharper 'keek' call, and in breeding plumage, has more extensive barring on the sides of the breast compared to the Short-billed's spotting.

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