Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus), Lake Cochise, Cochise County

This juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher was discovered by Joe Hammond and Laurens Halsey on 10 August 2011 in the southwest corner (near observation blind) of Lake Cochise near Willcox. Laurens photographed it at the same time. 

Short-billed Dowitcher is an uncommon fall migrant in Arizona with a peak passage in late August and early September and a few individuals continuing to pass through into about the middle of October. All wintering dowitchers in Arizona are Long-billed.

The broadly chestnut edged feathers of the upper parts indicate that this dowitcher is a juvenile. The overall brightness of the plumage is a good indicator that this is a Short-billed Dowitcher. The irregularly barred terials are diagnostic Short-billed. The tail, partially visible in the photo, shows more white than dark, another good feature indicating Short-billed. No vocalization was heard.

10 August 2011, photo by Laurens Halsey