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Manatee County

Audubon Society

Willet

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Name

Willet

Scientific Name

(Tringa semipalmata)

Why they are special:
  • A large, loud shorebird notable for its distinctive black-and-white wing pattern in flight.

  • Common along Florida’s beaches and marsh edges, often seen patrolling surf lines.

Size and color:
  • Large sandpiper, 12–14 inches long with a wingspan of 27–30 inches.

  • Gray-brown body, white belly, long gray legs, and stout, straight bill.

  • Black-and-white wing pattern visible in flight.

Seasonality in Florida:
  • Year-round resident along coasts, with higher numbers during migration.
Habitat:
  • Sandy beaches, tidal flats, salt marshes, and estuaries.

  • Often forages alone or in small groups along shallow water edges.

Diet:
  • Feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and small worms, probing sand and mud with their bills.

Behavior:
  • Loud and conspicuous; defensive calls often heard near nesting areas.

  • Nest in scrapes on sandy or grassy areas above the high tide line.

Conservation notes:
  • Populations are stable, but vulnerable to disturbance at nesting sites.

  • Protected nesting areas and reduced human activity help breeding success.

Best time to see:
  • Year-round, especially during low tide on open beaches and estuaries.

Fun Fact:
  • Willets are one of the few shorebirds that loudly “stomp” the sand with their feet to flush hidden prey before striking.
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