The barring on the tail-feathers is an oft-cited distinguishing mark between Long-billed and Short-billed Dowitchers, with the caveat that tail-bars often can't be seen clearly. Here is a nice display of the typical Long-billed pattern, with the dark bars notably wider than the pale ones. This pattern is invariable with Long-billed, while Short-billed usually have the pale bars wider, except in the east coast sub-species griseus. Most of the dowitchers in freshwater Adobe Creek are Long-billed, and this bird also shows on the side of its neck the more reddish ground-color typical of Long-billed, where Short-billed is more orange.