The Asian dowitcher is a rare medium-large wader.
Region
East Asian–Australasian Flyway
Typical Environment
Breeds sparsely in inland wetlands and marshy steppe of northern Asia, including parts of Mongolia, northeastern China, and adjacent Siberia. During migration and in the non-breeding season it uses coastal mudflats, estuaries, mangroves, and saltpans across Southeast Asia. Major stopover and wintering areas include the Yellow Sea region, the Gulf of Thailand, the Sundarbans, and northern Australia. It prefers wide intertidal flats with soft mud and shallow water, often roosting on nearby sandbars. Inland, it selects shallow freshwater marshes and wet meadows with abundant invertebrates.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Asian dowitcher is a rare medium-large wader that breeds in interior northern Asia and winters along tropical coasts. Its species name refers to its partially webbed toes (semipalmated), helpful when walking on soft mud. It feeds with a rapid 'sewing-machine' probing action. Identification can be tricky; look for its long straight bill, greenish legs, and rich rufous underparts in breeding plumage.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with a direct, strong flight
Social Behavior
Often occurs in small to medium flocks, especially at high-tide roosts and during migration. Breeding pairs nest on the ground near shallow wetlands, with a simple scrape lined by vegetation. Likely mostly monogamous, with both parents involved in care to varying degrees.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet; gives mellow, repeated tu or peet notes and sharper keek calls, especially in flight. Display and alarm calls become more frequent on the breeding grounds.
Plumage
Breeding birds show rich rufous underparts with barring on the flanks and a mottled brown upper body; non-breeding birds are largely grey-brown above with whitish underparts. The texture is smooth with dense mottling and fine barring on the wings and tail.
Diet
Feeds mainly on invertebrates, including polychaete worms, small crustaceans, bivalves, and aquatic insect larvae. It also takes small mollusks and occasionally seeds. Foraging involves rapid, rhythmic probing in soft mud or shallow water, often in loose groups. It adjusts prey choice with tidal cycles and habitat availability.
Preferred Environment
Forages on intertidal mudflats, creek edges in mangroves, estuarine shallows, and coastal saltpans. On breeding grounds it feeds in freshwater marshes, wet meadows, and lake margins with soft substrates.
