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Step 1
Search during breeding season on the tundra in Canada and Alaska near the Arctic Ocean. During the winter, look for the Long-Billed Dowitcher along the coast of the Pacific Ocean (near California) and the Atlantic Ocean (south of the Carolinas) in the United States. You might also spot one along the Gulf Coast and in Mexico during the winter near ponds, marshes and mudflats.
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Step 2
Observe the size. This medium sized shorebird ranges in length from 11 to 12.5 inches. They have wingspans between 18 and 20 inches and weigh between 3.2 and 4.6 oz. Female Long-Billed Dowitchers weigh more than males.
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Step 3
Note the bird's appearance. The most distinctive feature of the Long-Billed Dowitcher is its long, dark bill that's almost twice the length of the bird's head. This dowitcher has a gray colored chest, back and neck with mottled sides and a dark head with a white stripe near the eyes and pale yellow legs. The tail is square and has black and white colored bars on it.
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Step 4
Listen to the call. This call, often given during flight, is loud and consists of a series of repeating sharp "peep" or "keek" sounds. You can listen to this call on the What Bird website (see Resources below).
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Step 5
Watch for distinctive behavior during feeding. The bird leans forward and quickly probes the muddy ground with its beak, an action that resembles a sewing machine. During feeding, the Dowitcher also may submerge its head completely under water. The Dowitcher is a strong, direct flyer with rapid wing beats during flight.
