Willet

Among our most common large sandpipers, Willet is found on tidal mudflats, along coastal beaches, and in estuaries. Probably most easily observed in Sonoma County at Bodega Bay. Willet becomes relatively scarce in the county in early summer, but it's been recorded here in every month of the year. Common from around mid-July to mid-May of the following year. We mostly see Willet in its drab, grey winter (non-breeding) plumage (photo above), when it is remarkable mostly for being a pretty much uniform grey, although paler underneath and with a diffuse paler area at the lores; a little paler around the eye as well--often suggesting a white eyering. Even the legs are grey, but sometimes with a slight bluish tint. Our western subspecies (Tringa semipalmata inornata, sometimes referred to as “Western Willet”) is a little larger, paler, and more grey overall than its eastern counterpart (Tringa semipalmata semipalmata, sometimes referred to as “Eastern Willet”). Often stands resting on one leg and will sometimes hop around on one leg. May be solitary or in groups of up to a couple hundred birds, especially when roosting. Often in mixed flocks with Marbled Godwit, Dowitchers, Dunlin, Sanderlings, and/or small sandpipers. Older sources will list this bird as Catoptrophorus semipalmatus.

Birds in breeding plumage (photo below) can perhaps best be seen in Sonoma County in July. Again, Bodega Bay is likely the best bet. In breeding plumage, the bird is mottled brown and grey on top, lightly barred with grey-brown below. In breeding plumage, may resemble Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) or Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), mottled shorebirds of about the same size. Note, however, that both the Yellowlegs species have bright yellow legs (as you might expect), and they are white rather than grey, mottled with black rather than greys and browns. Yellowlegs lack the black and white underwing pattern of Willet (see below).

Willet shows a striking wing pattern in all plumages. If in doubt, wait until your bird flies or opens its wings (photo below), and suddenly the drab Willet shows an eye-catching pattern of black and white. In flight, also note the white rump and tail with a broad band of diffuse grey toward the end.