Telling apart the long-billed dowitcher from the short-billed dowitcher can be a tricky task for birders. Both species are medium-sized shorebirds with long bills used for probing in mudflats and marshes. While the plumage may look similar at first glance, there are some key differences to look for when identifying these birds.
Size Differences
The most noticeable difference between the long-billed and short-billed dowitcher is their size. As the names suggest, long-billed dowitchers have a longer bill and are larger overall than short-billed dowitchers.
Some key size differences:
- Long-billed dowitchers measure 14-15 inches in length with a bill 2.5-3.25 inches long
- Short-billed dowitchers measure 11.5-13 inches in length with a bill 1.5-2.5 inches long
- Long-billed dowitchers weigh around 5.3-8.6 ounces
- Short-billed dowitchers weigh around 2.3-5.5 ounces
When seen side by side, the size difference is quite apparent. The long-billed is a chunkier, larger bodied bird compared to the more petite short-billed.
Bill Length and Shape
As the names imply, bill length is a key identification feature. The long-billed dowitcher has a bill 2.5-3.25 inches in length, while the short-billed’s bill is only 1.5-2.5 inches long.
Bill shape also differs slightly. The long-billed dowitcher’s bill is straighter along its length while the short-billed’s bill has a faint downward curve.
When birds are feeding, the longer bill of the long-billed allows it to probe deeper in mud and water. The longer bill also means the long-billed doesn’t have to tilt its head down as far when feeding compared to the short-billed.
Plumage Differences
Plumage differences between the two species are subtle but can be helpful for identification:
- Breeding plumage:
- Long-billed males have reddish stripes on the flanks
- Short-billed males lack striping on the flanks
- Non-breeding plumage:
- The short-billed dowitcher has more well-defined, crisp striping on the flanks
- The long-billed dowitcher has blurrier, muted striping
- The short-billed generally appears more neatly patterned overall
- The long-billed looks more blotchy and mottled
These plumage differences can be subtle though. Focusing on size and bill differences is often more reliable for identification.
Vocalizations
The calls of the two dowitchers also differ:
- Long-billed dowitchers make a constant, repetitive “tu-tu-tu-tu” call in flight.
- Short-billed dowitchers’ call is a harsher “keek”.
However, quite a bit of overlap exists between the vocalizations of the species so they are not the most reliable identifier.
Habitat Preference and Geographic Range
While there can be some overlap, the two dowitchers tend to occupy different habitats and ranges which can aid identification:
- Long-billed dowitchers are found mainly along coastal regions from Alaska to Baja California. They winter south along the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts into Central and South America.
- Short-billed dowitchers breed inland in prairie pothole regions from north-central U.S. into Canada. They winter along the U.S. Gulf Coast and parts of Mexico.
If a dowitcher is spotted along the Atlantic Coast during migration or winter, it is very likely the long-billed species. Seeing one around prairie potholes indicates the short-billed. However be aware that some overlap in habitat and range does occur.
Behavioral Differences
Feeding behavior can also aid identification:
- Long-billed dowitchers often feed in deeper water, completely immersing their head and neck to probe for prey.
- Short-billed dowitchers feed in shallower waters, plunging only part of their neck underwater.
This difference stems from the long-billed’s longer bill allowing it to reach deeper to probe.
In flight, long-billed dowitchers tend to fly in more compact flocks while short-billed dowitchers fly in looser aggregations.
Conclusion
Accurately identifying whether a dowitcher is long-billed or short-billed can be tricky. The key differences to focus on are:
- Size – long-billed are larger with a chunkier body
- Bill length – long-billed have bills 2.5-3.25 inches, short-billed 1.5-2.5 inches
- Subtle plumage differences – long-billed are more blotchy, short-billed more crisp
- Habitat and range – long-billed along coasts, short-billed inland
- Feeding behavior – long-billed feed deeper
Considering these differences together along with vocalizations, flight style, and subtle plumage variations allows accurate identification of these two dowitcher species.
Identification Tips Tables
Here are some summary tables of the key identification tips covered:
Identification Tips | Long-billed Dowitcher | Short-billed Dowitcher |
---|---|---|
Size | 14-15 in. length 5.3-8.6 oz weight |
11.5-13 in. length 2.3-5.5 oz weight |
Bill Length | 2.5-3.25 in | 1.5-2.5 in |
Plumage | Mottled, blotchy | Crisp patterning |
Habitat | Coastal regions | Inland prairies |
Feeding Behavior | Probes deeper | Probes in shallower water |
Flight Style | Compact flocks | Looser flocks |
Feature | Long-billed Dowitcher | Short-billed Dowitcher |
---|---|---|
Length | 14-15 in. | 11.5-13 in. |
Weight | 5.3-8.6 oz | 2.3-5.5 oz |
Bill Length | 2.5-3.25 in. | 1.5-2.5 in. |
Plumage | Blotchy, mottled | Crisply patterned |
Habitat | Coastal | Inland prairies |
Feeding Behavior | Probes deeper | Probes in shallows |
Flight Style | Compact flocks | Looser flocks |
Conclusion
Telling apart these two similar dowitcher species relies on careful assessment of differences in size, bill length, plumage patterns, geographic range, feeding behaviors, and other factors. With practice, birders can quickly learn to distinguish the long-billed dowitcher from its short-billed cousin when encountering them in the field.
Some key takeaways in review:
- The long-billed dowitcher is the larger species with a longer, straighter bill.
- The short-billed is smaller with a shorter bill curved slightly downward.
- Plumage differences are subtle but the long-billed appears more blotchy and mottled.
- Long-billeds frequent coastal regions while short-billeds prefer inland prairies and marshes.
- Feeding style varies with the long-billed probing deeper than the short-billed.
Considering all these factors together will allow an observer to confidently determine the species. With good views and use of these identification tips, a birder can reliably tell apart these two similar dowitchers.