Willet —Ross Feldner

Humble in appearance, the Willet is one of the largest members of the sandpiper family with drab brown plumage during breeding season and gray colors in winter. It has a piercing call “pill-will-willet” that mimics its name.

They are a common sight on eastern US shores, scuttling about in search of  fiddler crabs and other crustaceans as well as small fish. The Willet’s drab appearance changes dramatically when they fly and flash bands of white and black on their wings.

They are found on both the East Coast and in freshwater habitats out west. These two subspecies (Eastern and Western) vary in subtle ways such as slight differences in size, song and bills.

Willet Fun Facts

Both parents incubate the eggs, but only the male Willet stays on the nest at night.

Willets will pretend to be disabled by a broken wing much like the Killdeer in order to draw attention and lure predators away from the nest.

The tips of their bills are exceptional sensitive and allow them to find prey at night.

After populations were decimated in the early 1900s, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 banned hunting them for market and began the Willet’s comeback.

Males will challenge their neighbors, loudly defending their territory and walking along boundaries which can result in physical altercations.

Both male and female choose the nest site.

Click here to listen to and watch Willets at the beach.

 

Rachel Carson Council
8600 Irvington Avenue  | Bethesda, Maryland 20817-3604
(301) 214-2400 | office@rachelcarsoncouncil.org

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