The Short-billed Dowitcher was long a mystery species because of its remote, inhospitable breeding grounds, its three distinct subspecies, and its close resemblance to the Long-billed Dowitcher, from which it was split off as a separate species in 1950. This medium-sized shorebird breeds only in the boreal forest, which is becoming increasingly fragmented. After recovering from market hunting in the 19^th century, the Short-billed Dowitcher is now again declining, due to migratory habitat loss and pesticide use.

In far western, central, and eastern portions of the Canadian boreal forest, three subspecies of the Short-billed Dowitcher breed separately. The western subspecies also breeds along the southern Alaskan coast, and then winters along the Pacific Coast. The other two subspecies migrate along the Atlantic coast, wintering throughout the Caribbean and along both coasts of Central America. Significant populations reach northern South America.

 

A legend for the range map to the right can be found here.

Breeding Bird Surveys indicate a slight decline in Short-billed Dowitchers, but confusion with the Long-billed Dowitcher makes overall numbers difficult to determine. From 1975 to 1991, the Canadian Wildlife Federation's Maritimes Shorebird Survey recorded a significant decline in eastern populations of the Short-billed Dowitcher.

Pesticide use and the local destruction of migratory habitat, especially in the Midwest, have contributed to the recent decline in Short-billed Dowitchers. In the United States, this species relies heavily on National Wildlife Refuges, which should minimize disturbances from human visitors and maximize habitat for shorebirds by integrating their needs into management plans for waterfowl.

 

The Canadian Shorebird Conservation plan designates the Short-billed Dowitcher as a species of moderate concern; the U.S. plan lists it as a species of conservation concern. Both plans call for an integrated management approach that preserves landscapes by working with organizations like the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network. The health of the boreal forest is key to stopping losses in Short-billed Dowitcher populations. In March 2006, Global Forest Watch Canada reported that the boreal breeding grounds of the Short-billed Dowitcher have been seriously degraded and fragmented in areas where energy and logging companies have commercial access.

Look for Short-billed Dowitchers at a National Wildlife Refuge. 

 

Short-billed Dowitchers need undisturbed shoreline and tidal mudflats for successful migration, yet competition for coastal real estate is fierce. Support the expansion and new allocation of land for the National Wildlife Refuge system.

 

The logging of boreal forests is driven by consumer demand for paper. Buy paper products high in recycled content and reduce your influx of unsolicited catalogs and junk mail by removing your name from unwanted mailing lists. Contact the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service

 

For actions you can take, including Audubon activities, please visit our resources page.

Learn more about the effects of forest fragmentation by visiting Global Forest Watch Canada.

 

Visit the Boreal Songbird Initiative website to learn more about helping the Short-billed Dowitcher.

 

Visit our resources page for more information about this species.

Donaldson, G. M.; Hyslop, C.; Morrison, R.I.G.; Dickson, H.L.; and Davidson, I. The Canadian Shorebird Conservation Plan. The Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3: 2000.

 

Jehl, J. R., Jr., J. Klima, and R. E. Harris. 2001. Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus). In The Birds of North America, No. 564 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

 

Kaufman, Kenn. Lives of North American Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, 1996.

 

Sibley, David Allen. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.