ExploreBirds

Willet

Tringa semipalmata

The Willet is a tall, wading bird that loves to be near the water. With its long legs and long beak, it searches for tasty snacks like crabs and worms in the sand.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Willet is a large, grayish shorebird with long bluish-gray legs and a straight, thick bill. Its most striking feature, seen in flight, is a broad white stripe bordered by black on its wings. This pattern makes them visually distinct from other plain gray shorebirds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyScolopacidaeGenusTringa
Willet
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Willet

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

The Willet's loud call sounds so much like "pill-will-willet" that it's how they got their name!

There are two types of Willets, Eastern and Western, and they even sound a little different!

These clever birds often build nests in tall grass, making it super hard for predators to find their eggs.

Willet chicks can leave the nest and find their own food almost immediately after hatching!

Special abilities

Ability

Flashy Flight

Willet has striking black-and-white wings that flash brightly, which helps them signal to other Willets or startle predators.

Ability

Master Mimic

Willet can fake a broken wing display to lure predators away from its nest, protecting its precious eggs and chicks.

Ability

Vocal Watcher

Willet makes a loud, distinctive "pill-will-willet" call that helps them warn other birds of danger or intruders.

Measurements & details

Length
33-41 cm
Wingspan
66-79 cm
Weight
0.2-0.36 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Top Speed
55 km/h
Clutch Size
3-5
Incubation
22-29 days
Migration Distance
4000 km

Diet & Feeding

Willets use their long bills to probe for tasty invertebrates and small fish in watery areas.

Primary Foods

  • Crabs
  • Marine worms
  • Small fish
  • Insects
  • Mollusks

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Adult Willets can be swift prey for this speedy raptor.

eats

American Herring Gull

Larus smithsonianus

These gulls sometimes eat the eggs or chicks of Willets.

eaten by

Atlantic Fiddler Crab

Uca pugnax

Willet's long bill is perfect for catching these crabs in the mud.

eaten by

Clam Worm

Nereis succinea

Willet probes soft mud to find and eat these marine worms.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Willet?

33-41 cm

What is Willet's wingspan?

66-79 cm

How much does Willet weigh?

0.2-0.36 kg

How long does Willet live?

5-10 years

How fast can Willet move?

55 km/h

What does Willet eat?

Willets use their long bills to probe for tasty invertebrates and small fish in watery areas.

Where is Willet usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Willet hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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