The sexes are similar in plumage but the female is slightly larger. [16] The black underwing coverts may be conspicuous in flight. Willets are identified on the ground by their gray legs and shortish, heavy but straight bill.

Willets are gray or brown birds that, when flying, display a striking white and black stripe along each wing. In summer, Willets are mottled gray, brown, and black; in winter they are a more consistent plain gray. The legs are bluish gray. Willets are often seen alone.

Female parent departs after 2-3 weeks, leaving male to care for young. Age of young at first flight not well known, probably about 4 weeks. Forages by walking on shore, in marsh, or in shallow water, probing with its bill in mud or water, or picking items from the surface. Includes insects, crustaceans, marine worms. Diet varies with location.

The female Willet departs the nest site up to two weeks ahead of the male, leaving her mate to finish raising the chicks. Though Willets are common in some areas, they appear to have declined between 1966 and 2014, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey.

The willet (Tringa semipalmata), formerly in the monotypic genus Catoptrophorus as Catoptrophorus semipalmatus, is a large shorebird in the family Scolopacidae. It is a relatively large and robust sandpiper, and is the largest of the species called "shanks" in the genus Tringa.

Sep 7, 2024 · Discover the captivating Willet in this comprehensive guide, featuring stunning identification tips, habitat preferences, and intricate behaviors of this beautiful shorebird. Learn about their striking plumage, distinctive calls, and social dynamics as you enhance your birdwatching experience.

Female, 15 1/2, 31. Breeds abundantly in Texas, and along the Atlantic shores to New York, sparingly as far as Massachusetts. Constant resident in the Southern States.

The female Willet constructs a nest on the ground, usually in a well-hidden location among vegetation or in a shallow depression. She uses grasses, twigs, and other materials to build a cup-shaped nest.

Jul 31, 2024 · Willets have a distinctive appearance with their chunky shape, long legs, thick bill, and black, gray, and white colors. Here are three key features to help you identify this shorebird: Size: About the size of a crow, Willets are one of the largest common shorebirds. Wings: Broad and rounded with bold markings.

Their nests are simple dents in the ground, lined with small amounts of leaves and grass. The female lays an average of four eggs, and both parents incubate them for about three or four weeks. It takes about a month for the chicks to begin …