Bird of the Week – Long-billed Dowitcher
A handsome, chunky shore bird with an impressive bill, the Long-billed Dowitcher is found throughout most of Alaska in migration, breeds on the wester coast and is very easily confused with its Short-billed cousin.
Long-billed Dowitcher, Peat Ponds, Fairbanks
Dowitchers forage with a rapid up and down motion, probing with their bill, like a frenzied sewing machine. It’s very distinctive. They are seen most often in the spring, during migration. It can be pretty tough to tell Long-billed from Short-billed Dowitchers in the field. The Long-billed has a bill length more than twice the thickness of the bird’s head; the Short-billed isn’t quite so magnificent. Habitat is an important clue: Short-billeds prefer salt marsh. Long-billeds are most commonly in freshwater marshes.
Camera geek stuff: f9, 1/640, ISO640.
For more bird photos, please visit Frozen Feather Images.
Let’s liven this place up. Texas Agriculture Commissioner bucking for a Nobel Piece Prize- http://juanitajean.com/sid-miller-the-killer/
Not sure what nukular weapons have to do with Agriculture,but then I’m from iowa not retardedTexas.
This bird can see his shadow-means six more weeks of Alaska.
Good one!