Willet

Identification

The willet is a large and robust shorebird, standing as the largest species in the genus Tringa. At 31–41 cm in length and weighing 200–330 g, it is noticeably bigger than the greater yellowlegs. On the ground, willets are identified by their gray legs and a shortish, heavy but straight bill. The plumage is gray above with a white rump and white underparts, featuring a distinct white area above the lores and a narrow whitish eye ring that gives the bird a distinctive spectacled appearance. In breeding plumage, brown barring appears on the upperparts, while non-breeding birds are plainer.

In flight, willets are particularly elegant and distinctive, resembling a godwit with black primary coverts and primaries that contrast sharply with a broad white band, white secondaries, white rump, and gray tail band. The black underwing coverts may be conspicuous in flight and are prominent during the bird's characteristic display. The sexes are similar in plumage, though females are slightly larger than males.

Range & Habitat

The willet breeds in North America and the West Indies, with two recognized subspecies occupying very different habitats. The eastern subspecies breeds in coastal saltmarshes from southern Newfoundland and along the Atlantic coast of the United States into the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Islands. The western subspecies breeds in freshwater prairie marshes, sloughs, potholes, and other inland wetlands from the Prairie Provinces of Canada south to northeastern California, northern Colorado, and western Nebraska.

In winter, both subspecies become coastal birds. The eastern subspecies winters in the West Indies and along the eastern coast of South America as far south as southern Brazil and Argentina, with no documented records in the United States. The western subspecies winters mainly on Pacific coasts from the southern United States to northern South America as far south as northern Chile, with some birds also wintering on the Atlantic coast. Both subspecies favor rocky and sandy coasts, mudflats, and coastal marshes during the non-breeding season.

Behaviour & Diet

Willets are territorial birds both on breeding grounds and wintering areas, though they form loose breeding colonies or wintering groups rather than being strictly solitary. They are normally vigilant and alert, with birds positioned closer to the landward edge of saltmarshes being the first to sound alarm calls. During displays, they hold their wings stiffly and downward-curved in flight, while on the ground their display emphasizes the distinctive underwing pattern.

These shorebirds are flexible and opportunistic feeders. They hunt by walking steadily and pecking prey from the substrate, and also probe into mud and silt with their sensitive bill. They actively stalk larger prey in shallow water, hunting fish and aquatic insects. A favored coastal prey includes small fiddler crabs, mole crabs, worms, clams, and other invertebrates. Willets have occasionally been known to eat plant material as well.

Best Time & Places to See It

To find willets, visit their breeding habitats during the nesting season: coastal saltmarshes for eastern birds and freshwater prairie marshes and inland wetlands for western birds. Both subspecies are then easier to locate as they are territorial and vocal. During winter, search coastal habitats including rocky and sandy shores, mudflats, and coastal marshes where both subspecies concentrate.

The two subspecies follow different migration routes and winter in different regions, so your location determines which birds you're likely to encounter. Eastern birds remain in the Caribbean and along the South American coast, while western birds winter along Pacific coasts. The willet's loud, piercing calls make it relatively easy to locate during breeding season, particularly in the early morning hours.

Photography Tips

The willet's distinctive flight pattern offers excellent photographic opportunities. Capture the striking contrast between the black primaries and coverts and the broad white band visible in flight—this is perhaps the bird's most dramatic and recognizable feature. Photograph displaying birds to showcase the characteristic stiff-winged flight posture and the prominent black underwing coverts.

On the ground, focus on capturing the bird's elegant proportions, gray legs, and distinctive spectacled appearance created by the white lores and eye ring. Breeding plumage birds show attractive brown barring on the upperparts, adding visual interest. The bird's vigilant nature means positioning yourself carefully in coastal habitats will yield good results. Dawn and dusk often provide the best light and the most vocal, active birds, making these ideal times for both photography and locating subjects.