Both species can give a single call note, although it's more typical of
Long-billed.
Short-billed has a lower-pitched more mellow call, usually three rapid
notes "toodle-doo" especially in flight. However they may also give a
single mellow "tu" or "tup" note depending on context, especially while
feeding.
Long-billed has a higher, squeakier call, "keeek" recalling Sanderling. It
may also call in series as "keeek keeek keeek" but with a much longer space
between the individual notes cf. Short-billed. Long-billed is much more
vocal, frequently keeping up a lot of chatter while foraging. Short-billed
is often silent except when disturbed or when flying with a flock.
In California, Long-billed prefers fresh water, including inland lakes and
flooded fields, but will also use estuaries. Short-billed prefers tidal
mudflats. However, there are three different subspecies of Short-billed
Dowitcher one of which migrates regularly inland in North America.
Short-billed is a much longer distance migrant, regularly reaching southern
South America. Long-billed is extremely rare anywhere south of the
equator. I am aware of only one specimen from Argentina.
I have not yet seen an unambiguous photo of the bird. I have seen this
from the a camera back posted on eremaea...
http://www.eremaea.com/sightingphotos/22/220773.jpg
Interesting bird. Where are the Facebook photos?
On Mon, 10 Nov 2014 19:41:27 +1100, "Mike Carter" <>
wrote:
>Because James Mustafa tells me that the bird issued a single note call it is
>a Long-billed Dowitcher. It is still there in a big flock of waders but now
>on the northern end of the lake not the SW corner where found. That area is
>already dry. 4WD vehicles are not required but it seems as though the lake
>could be drying fast.
>
>
>
>Cheers,
>
>
>
>Mike Carter, 03 9787 7136
>
>30 Canadian Bay Road
>
>Mount Eliza, VIC 3930, Australia
>
>
>
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Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
"It turns out we're very good at not seeing things" - Jack Hitt
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