What is a "dowitcher"?

A dowitcher is a medium-sized shorebird that belongs to the sandpiper family. It is known for its distinctive features and behaviors. Dowitchers have stocky bodies with relatively long legs, allowing them to navigate through wetland habitats and shallow water with ease. One of their most prominent characteristics is their long, straight bill, which is slightly curved downward at the tip. This bill serves as a valuable tool for probing into the mud and sand in search of small invertebrates, their primary source of food. Dowitchers exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males typically sporting a brighter and richer reddish-brown plumage, while females have a more subdued grayish-brown coloration. During migration, dowitchers can be found in various habitats, including coastal mudflats, marshes, and freshwater wetlands, as they travel long distances between their breeding and wintering grounds.