Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus)

Identification & Behavior: ~28.5 cm (11.2 in). The Long-billed Dowitcher in basic plumage is gray with a pale belly. The alternate plumage is a buff with dusky-buff upperparts. It has a very long bill that resembles that of a Snipe, a Willet, or a Godwit. It has relatively short grayish legs. In flight, it shows a white rump and upper back.  In basic plumage is nearly identical to the Short-billed Dowitcher. It favors freshwater mudflats where it forages by probing for invertebrates with its long bill.

Status: The Long-billed Dowitcher is considered a vagrant species along the coast of Peru. One specimen collected at Puerto Viejo, Región de Lima was confirmed to be this species by D. Paulsen (T. S. Schulenberg to various persons in litt.).

Name in Spanish: Agujeta de Pico Largo.

Sub-species: Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus), Say 1823.

Meaning of Name: Limnodromus= Gr. Limne= a marsh and dromos= running or inhabitant. scolopaceus: genus scolopax= woodcock or snipe and aceus= resembling.

See more of the Family Scolopacidae