The long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus, is a medium-sized shorebird of the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae. It is distinguished by its elongated bill, approximately twice the length of its head, and its robust body. During flight, one can observe its large white upper rump, a feature that is otherwise concealed.
Adults in breeding plumage exhibit a rufous head and underparts, with a dark mottled back. Their bill is straight and black, transitioning to yellowish olive-green near the base. Legs are similarly colored. The tail is barred with black and white, the black bars being notably wider. In non-breeding plumage, they become drab grey with a paler belly, making them harder to distinguish from their close relative, the short-billed dowitcher.
The long-billed dowitcher prefers wet, grassy, or sedge freshwater meadows for breeding. Outside the breeding season, it can be found in a variety of wetland habitats, including mudflats, flooded fields, and shallow lakes and marshes.
Breeding occurs from western and northern Alaska to eastern Siberia. In winter, they migrate as far south as Mexico, with some populations wintering along the Pacific coast from southwestern British Columbia to Baja California and others along the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida.
