Short-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus griseus

Habitat 4

In Yukon, breeds in marshes and rich fens with sparse trees and shrubs.

Distribution 4

Yukon: Sparse breeder in the Southern Lakes area (confirmed at Swan Lake and Lake Laberge, and suspected at Marsh Lake and along Tagish Road).
North America: Breeding distribution separated into three areas: northwest (southern Alaska, Yukon, and northwestern BC); northern prairie provinces, including southern NWT; centred around James Bay. Winters from the southern USA through Central America and West Indies to Peru and Brazil.

Distinguishing Features 4

The most obvious feature of dowitchers are their long, straight bills. Short-billed and Long-billed Dowitchers are difficult to separate. In breeding plumage, all races of adult Short-billed are distinguished from Long-billed by palish lower belly; the entire venter is brick red in Long-billed. Short-billed also lacks strong barring on sides and anks, which is characteristic of breeding Long-billed Dowitchers. Call notes are distinctive: flight call of Short-billed a melodic tu, usually repeated up to 3 or 4 times. Typical call of Long-billed a high keek, given once or repeated several times.

Report Sightings: During breeding season (late May - July) 4

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) barloventomagico, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/12694900@N08/3810026767
  2. (c) Andy Morffew, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/andymorffew/6935769772/
  3. (c) Mark Yokoyama, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/theactionitems/14821686478/
  4. (c) L.G. Johanson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

Range Map

iNaturalist.ca Map

Animal Bird
Bird Shore Birds (Charadriiformes)
Color brown, grey