A large, stocky, grayish to grayish-brown shorebird with a long straight sturdy bill. Two distinct subspecies show noticeable differences in size, plumage, and vocalizations. Alternate Adult: brownish-gray plumage overall with densely barred breast and flanks, upperparts mottled gray and dark brown, entire head and neck finely streaked; legs are grayish to grayish-pink, long, straight, heavy bill (shorter in eastern birds) is mostly dark dusky gray, fading to a dull horn color or pinkish near the base. Eastern birds (subspecies "semipalmata") typically appear more solidly dark and browner above and more heavily barred on the breast, while paler, grayer western birds (subspecies "inornata") are less densely streaked on the breast and show more contrast in their mottled upperparts. Lores are dark with short pale supraloral stripe (does not extend past the eye). Basic Adult: Both subspecies are clean grayish above with whitish lower breast and belly. Juvenile: Both subspecies similar to basic-plumaged adult, though slightly more patterned above; edges of scapulars, wing coverts, and tertials scaly in appearance due to pale edges and dark subterminal markings. Although eastern birds generally appear smaller than godwits, western birds may approach the size of Marbled Godwit, but this species is bulkier in structure, has a proportionally larger head, and shows a shorter, thicker bill than the godwits. In flight, they show a conspicuous black and white wing pattern comprised of a broad white stripe bordered by wide black trailing edge to the outer secondaries and primaries, and black on the outer third of upper wing coverts. Tail is white with dark bars on tip.

Length: 38 (cm) Wingspan: 66 (cm)

Voice:

Typical call a whirling, loud sharply whistled will-ET or pill will willet. Other calls include short pik and rolling notes.

Habitat:

Flooded fields, pastures, wetlands, marshes, mudflats, beaches.

Behavior:

Walks along wet ground or perches conspicuously; often on fence posts. Nest is lined with grasses, on ground, usually in dry area. Sometimes forages loosely with other shorebirds, but does not form dense flocks.

Feeding:

Probes with bill in mud or sand; eats insects and other small organisms, and occasional seeds.