adult gaining breeding plumage (California, USA; 2006-04-15)
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Willet
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Native Range:
North America
Notes:
a large sandpiper with a straight medium-length bill; shows little plumage patterning until it flies and exposes a strikingly bold white wing stripe, tail, and rump; frequents many habitats ranging from rocky shores to mudflats and marshes; issues a loud ringing call when disturbed or in flight; in the USA, west coast birds breed in the continental interior and then winter on both coasts;
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breeding adult; no sexual dimorphism (California, USA; 2009-06-28)
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frontal view; barred underparts (California, USA; 2006-04-15)
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adult in nonbreeding plumage (California, USA; 2007-09-27)
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frontal view; holding a tasty morsel (California, USA; 2006-10-15)
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non-breeding plumage; mostly gray all over (California, USA; 2006-03-01)
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note serrations on bill for gripping prey (California, USA; 2011-10-11)
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bold wing stripes evident in flight (California, USA; 2006-04-15) |
white on rump and upper tail too (California, USA; 2006-03-05) |
black-and-white boldness in flight (California, USA; 2006-03-12) |
white also evident when stretching (California, USA; 2007-10-28) |
flock on shoreline; transitional plumage (California, USA; 2006-06-20) |
posing for portrait; note totally straight bill (California, USA; 2007-07-21) |