Non-Breeding Dowitcher Short Billed -Adult
Despite the abundance of dowitchers over much of the continent, it was not until the 1930s that scientists began to understand that there were two species of dowitchers in North America.
Unlike the Long-billed Dowitcher, Short-billed Dowitchers migrate in stages, first moving to intermediate areas to complete their molt, then moving on to their ultimate wintering areas. This strategy is called “molt migration.”
The Short-billed Dowitcher’s nest and eggs eluded discovery until 1906, and even that information was overlooked for a long while because they were attributed to the Long-billed Dowitcher. The nesting grounds of the eastern subspecies (griseus) of Short-billed Dowitcher were not discovered until the late 1950s.
Although both sexes share incubation of the eggs, only the male takes care of the young once they hatch.
The oldest recorded Short-billed Dowitcher was at least 13 years, 11 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Delaware.
Non-Breeding Dowitcher Short Billed -Adult
Despite the abundance of dowitchers over much of the continent, it was not until the 1930s that scientists began to understand that there were two species of dowitchers in North America.
Unlike the Long-billed Dowitcher, Short-billed Dowitchers migrate in stages, first moving to intermediate areas to complete their molt, then moving on to their ultimate wintering areas. This strategy is called “molt migration.”
The Short-billed Dowitcher’s nest and eggs eluded discovery until 1906, and even that information was overlooked for a long while because they were attributed to the Long-billed Dowitcher. The nesting grounds of the eastern subspecies (griseus) of Short-billed Dowitcher were not discovered until the late 1950s.
Although both sexes share incubation of the eggs, only the male takes care of the young once they hatch.
The oldest recorded Short-billed Dowitcher was at least 13 years, 11 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Delaware.