adult gaining breeding plumage (California, USA; 2006-04-15)


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;


breeding adult; no sexual dimorphism (California, USA; 2009-06-28)
frontal view; barred underparts (California, USA; 2006-04-15)

adult in nonbreeding plumage (California, USA; 2007-09-27)
frontal view; holding a tasty morsel (California, USA; 2006-10-15)

non-breeding plumage; mostly gray all over (California, USA; 2006-03-01)
note serrations on bill for gripping prey (California, USA; 2011-10-11)

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)