General Description: Long-billed Dowitchers (Limnodromus scolopaceus) are medium-sized shorebirds with differing summer and winter plumage. Dowitchers are recognized by their size; rotund appearance; extremely long, straight bills; and feeding behavior (like a sewing machine -- rapidly pushing their bill deep into the mud, sometimes putting their face in the water). The lower back is white.

During winter, Long-billed Dowitchers are gray overall with a distinct, light eyebrow line. During summer, they are reddish overall except for the pale eyebrow line, and the sides of the breast are barred rather than streaked.

It is very difficult to tell Long-billed from Short-billed Dowitchers, but Short-bills are quite rare around Las Vegas.

Favored Habitat: Freshwater ponds and marshes.

Where to Find: Around Las Vegas, look for this species at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, the Pahranagat Valley, and the Overton Wildlife Management Area.

Comments: These birds can be abundant during migration.