Willet Tringa semipalmata (formerly Catoptrophorus semipalmatus)

The Willet is an American shore-bird breeding in Canada through to the Caribbean and (for northern birds) wintering in South America.

The Willet was previously in its own genus but has been moved to the "Tringa" genus which includes Redshanks, Greenshanks and Yellowlegs. Its legs are grey.

The winter plumage looks similar to that of some other waders. Dowitchers were on the same beach but they have greener/yellower legs, a longer bill and a different placement of the nostril (higher, smaller) than the Willet. The Willet's breeding plumage is more marked with darker brown bars on the back and underside.

Showing white wingbar in flight and with Marbled Godwit. Photos all taken by Alexandra Makhnina in Florida.