Willets are a somewhat drab, nondescript-looking shorebird. They are fairly large, about the size of an American crow, with a wingspan measuring nearly 28 inches in length.
All in Bird Watching
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Surf Scoter, Sea Duck of the North
Of all the duck species in North America, the Surf Scoter is one of the most unusual-looking. It is a medium-sized sea duck, and the males are completely black except for small white patches on the back of their head, on their forehead, and at the base of their bill.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Exotic Egyptian Goose
Most people would think they need to go to Africa to see an Egyptian goose. And at one time, that would be true. The Egyptian goose is native to Africa, especially east Africa and southern Africa.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Shellfish-Loving American Oystercatcher
The American Oystercatcher is a strange-looking, but very cool bird. It is a fairly large shorebird (about the size of a crow), and it lives most of its life along saltwater beaches and shorelines.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Stealthy Hermit Thrush
Many birds are somewhat secretive. The hermit thrush is one of those stealthy birds. These inconspicuous birds tend to move around and hunt for insects in the brushy undergrowth of woodlands and along the edges of northern forests.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Wetland-Loving White Ibis
The American white ibis is a fairly large wading bird of the southeastern United States, and especially of the Gulf Coast. As their name implies, they are mostly white in color, although the tips of their wings are black.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Water-Loving Anhinga Bird
Have you ever seen an Anhinga? They are a warm weather bird, so if you live in the central or northern USA you will likely never see one around home. You will need to travel to Florida or the Gulf Coast for the best chance at seeing one.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Caribbean White-Crowned Pigeon
Almost everyone has seen a pigeon. People who live in the city often see them in parks or around buildings, while those living in the country can see them in and around barns and grain silos.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Coastal Laughing Gull
Some people think all seagulls are the same. A seagull is a seagull, right? Wrong. According to the book Gulls of North America by Fred Shaffer, there are actually 27 species of gulls in North America alone.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Cheerful Tufted Titmouse
The tufted titmouse seems to be a cheerful bird – at least it sounds that way from its cheerful “peter-peter-peter” song. This small bird is mostly gray with a soft white belly. Most individuals have a light tan-colored patch on their sides, just below their wings.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Diving Bufflehead Duck
There are about 29 native species of ducks in North America today, from mallards and pintails to redheads and gadwalls – just to name a few. That does not even include the various species of mergansers, grebes, loons and geese.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Fly-Catching Eastern Phoebe
The Eastern Phoebe is a very accomplished flycatcher. This bird is dark brown on its back, head and wings (dark gray on some individuals), and has a white or off-white belly and breast.