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Field
Marks: A gregarious, abundant, long-billed shorebird of ponds and
marshes. More partial to freshwater habitats and marshes than the nearly
identical short-billed dowitcher, but both feed on tidal mudflats. Unlike
short-billed, also winters inland. Medium-length yellow-green to gray legs.
Breeding adults have Rufous underparts, densely spotted with black on throat and
breast, and barred with black on sides, flanks, and under tail coverts; upper
parts blackish, with Rufous edges and bars. The tail and rump densely barred;
white wedge up middle of back.
Voice: Keek.
Where found: Breeds in Alaska and nw.
Canada. Winters on Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts from Washington and
Virginia South.
Texas: Migrant (Mar - May, July - Nov)
throughout much of the state. Winters on coast. The common dowitcher in Texas.
Habitat: Mudflats, shallow pools, margins.