- Numenius americanus
Identification
Location Florida
Length: 19 inches Very large, long-necked, small-headed shorebird Brownish rump and barred tail Cinnamon wing linings White eyering, dusky eyeline Sexes similar Adult: Very long, decurved bill Pale buff head and neck faintly streaked with darker brown Buff brown underparts with sparse dark streaking on flanks Dark back with pale edges and notches to feathers Dark brown outer wing contrasts with paler inner wing in flight Juvenile: Much shorter bill, often with less downward curve
Distribution
West-central North America. They are short distance bird migrants and winter along coasts in the southern United States south to Mexico.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Grasslands and open prairie
Behaviour
Nests are located on the ground in open prairie. The female usually lays 4 eggs. Both parents look after the young. These birds forage in fields, picking up food by sight, also by probing. They mainly eat insects, but also eat crustaceans in coastal areas.
The population was significantly reduced at the end of the 19th century by hunting. Numbers have rebounded somewhat in more recent times.
