photo by Phil Swanson

Limosa fedoa
L 18″(46 cm).

Song or calls:
Loud “karrack,” laughing “ha-ha,” and rapid “ratica, ratica, ratica.”

Description: Sexes similar. Large, long-legged shorebird. Long recurved bill; bill is orange with black tip. Tawny-brown all over; black mottling above and black barring below. Distinctive cinnamon wing linings and primaries are visible in flight. Juveniles are similar but with less barring.

Habitat: Migrants can be found on mud flats, wet fields, sand bars, and shorelines.

Where in Nebraska: Uncommon to locally common statewide. More common during spring than in fall and more common in the west. There area a few modern breeding records from northwestern Nebraska. “Fall” migration may commence as early as late June.

Status: May have been a regular breeder in Nebraska at one time.

Fun Facts: Incubating adults rarely flush off their nests and can sometimes be picked up off the nest.

 
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