Willets, a large, stocky shorebird with a black-and-white wing pattern, are not common in Arkansas, but have been spotted frequently this summer. I saw my first three Willets this weekend at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge. They were making their way through a flooded rice field.
Willets are typically found along the U.S. coastline. One fun fact: like Killdeers, Willets pretend to be disabled by a broken wing to draw attention to themselves and way from their eggs or chicks.
Unfortunately, Willets are listed on bird watch lists as one of the bird species at risk of becoming threatened or endangered without conservation action.
Memos for Me 