Willet alternate

Identification to species is easy by heavy, long, straight bill and gray legs. This bird is in alternate plumage, with numerous dark markings above and below not seen in basic garb. I believe this is a Western Willet (T.s. inornata) rather than nominate Eastern. Both are found on the coast in migration, with Easterns breeding and Westerns here in winter (when all the Easterns are farther south). Though the bill is somewhat thick at the tip, it is very dark and straight, lack the pale tones and slight droop often seen with Eastern. Legs appear long, especially the tibia, suggesting Western. The overall gray feathering tones and relatively sparse dark markings also are good for Western.