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Presidio of San FranciscoFort Scott
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Presidio of San Francisco
Willet
(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus)
 
Willet
Will Elder, NPS
A Willet searches for food in the marsh at Crissy Field.
 

Natural History: The Willet forages by pecking and probing for invertebrates. It roosts at high tide or in upper wetland areas. This territorial bird uses grass-lined hollow nests created in emergent wetlands near open water. It breeds from April to September. The Willet is a monogamous animal and semicolonial breeders.

General Distribution: In the Presidio, this species can be found in areas of tidal sand and rock.

Frequency: This species is abundant during the spring, winter, and fall seasons.

Identifying Characteristics: The Willet has a gray color and can be identified by its stocky bill. Its legs are a dark color. It displays flashy wing patterns in flight.

Presidio Birds main page

Albert Sidney Johnston  

Did You Know?
Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston, commander of the Pacific branch of the army, prepared the defenses of the San Francisco Bay and ordered the first garrison of Fort Point. Kentucky-born Johnston then resigned his commission to join the Confederate Army; he was killed at the battle of Shiloh in 1862.

Last Updated: November 16, 2007 at 17:22 EST