Fauna
Bird · GBIF taxon 5789298

Willet

Tringa semipalmata

Willets are sturdy gray shorebirds that reveal a striking black-and-white wing pattern when they fly. They walk tidal flats and shallow wetlands probing for buried animals, often calling loudly when a nest or chick is nearby.

ShorebirdBold Wing PatternMudflat Forager
Willet reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Fiddler crabs
  • Marine worms
  • Aquatic insects
Predators
  • Foxes
  • Raccoons
  • Large gulls
ThreatsCoastal development, rising seas, nest disturbance, pollution, and vehicle traffic on beaches
HabitatsSalt marshes, tidal flats, beaches, lagoons, and inland prairie wetlands
Life spanOften 8 to 12 years, with some banded birds living longer
Classification
  1. OrderCharadriiformes
  2. FamilyScolopacidae
  3. GenusTringa
  4. SpeciesTringa semipalmata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Give alarm-calling birds extra space and keep people and pets away from nests.
Responsible observation
  • Flight: Use the broad white wing stripe to confirm a flushed bird.
  • Call: Listen for the ringing pill-will-willet phrase near breeding ground.
Related species

Related species have not been added yet.

Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…