Asian Dowitcher — Australian Bird Identification Guide | BetterBirding

Bird guideAsian Dowitcher

Closer species The confusion species for this bird is not, as might be expected, one of the American dowitchers, which in any case do not overlap in range, because the Asian bird is much larger.

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⚠️Vulnerable

At a glance

FamilySandpipers and Allies

SizeSmall

RarityUncommon

HabitatVery uncommon large, long-billed shorebird, nearly the size of a godwit, found in coastal mudflats and open marshes.

Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from October.

Sounds

Sound sample

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Recorded by Sébastien Provost - Birding Mont-Saint-Michel

Range map

Range map

Occurrence window

48approx hotspots

1056approx records

4states

Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Very uncommon large, long-billed shorebird, nearly the size of a godwit, found in coastal mudflats and open marshes. Juvenile dark above, with broad gold feather edges, pale below, washed with warm buff or gold tones and with neat dark stipples and chevron-shaped marks. Blackish legs distinguish Asian from Long-billed Dowitcher, which has yellowish-green legs. Blackish or brownish bill of adult Asian differs from bicolored bill of godwits; note that bill of juvenile Asian has pale base.

Behavior

Breeding adult extensively brick-red below, dark and strongly marked with brick-red tones above.

Gallery

Regional timing

Western Australia

Peak: July to August127 records

Northern Territory

Peak: October145 records

New South Wales

Peak: December172 records

Queensland

Peak: October607 records

Commonly confused with

Broad-billed SandpiperCalidris falcinellusUpperparts dark, contrasting with the white underparts and streaky breast. When flushed, flight is low and often short. Bold head pattern, evident in all seasons, is the best feature to look for in winter-plumaged birds. Breeds in taiga bogs, usually at coasts and estuaries on migration and in winter.→Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusNote thin, sharp bill. Breeding females are brighter and more contrasting than males: note white throat, reddish stripe on neck, and buffy stripes on back. Breeding males are duller, especially on head and neck. Nonbreeding is much less colorful: gray above and white below with streaky-looking back and black ear patch. Juveniles have blackish upperparts with buffy stripes, and a black ear patch. Breeds on Arctic tundra. Primarily found on the open ocean during migration and winter; also occurs on lakes, especially in western North America. In migration mixes with Wilson’s Phalarope on inland lakes; Red-necked is smaller, more compact, and shorter-billed. On the ocean, frequently mixes with Red Phalarope, the only other oceanic shorebird; Red-necked is best distinguished by smaller size, thinner bill, and slightly darker, streakier-looking upperparts.→Long-toed StintCalidris subminutaUnlike most other small sandpipers in the region, this species has a distinctly long-winged and slender-bodied appearance. Note that long toes project slightly beyond tail in flight, unlike other stints. Flight call a quiet “prrrrp” similar to Curlew Sandpiper.→