Shorebirds

The common shorebird most people overlook

The **willet** is one of the most common shorebirds on coastal beaches — and also one of the most frequently overlooked. Its calm behavior and subtle coloring make it easy to miss, but once you recognize a willet, you’ll start seeing it everywhere.

How to Identify a Willet
Willets are medium-sized shorebirds with gray-brown bodies and long legs. At rest, they appear fairly plain, but when they take flight, they reveal bold black-and-white wing patterns that are impossible to miss.

They have long, straight bills and are often seen standing quietly along the shoreline.

Where You’ll See Them
Willets are found along **sandy beaches, tidal flats, and marshy shorelines**. They’re often spotted walking slowly near the water’s edge or standing still while watching the surf.

Unlike some smaller shorebirds, willets are usually seen alone or in small groups.

What They Eat
Willets feed on:
* Crabs
* Marine worms
* Insects
* Small shellfish

They forage by probing sand and shallow water with their bills.

When to Spot Them
Willets are **seasonal residents** in many coastal areas, commonly seen from spring through fall. In warmer regions, they may be present year-round.

Fun Facts
* Willets are known for their loud, piercing calls.
* Their dramatic wing patterns are one of the best identification clues.
* They’re one of the largest “classic” shorebirds beach walkers encounter.

Beach Etiquette Tip
Willets are sensitive to disturbance during nesting season. Giving them space helps protect nesting areas near dunes and marsh edges.

Related Shorebirds
* Greater Yellowlegs
* Black-bellied Plover
* American Oystercatcher