The willet is a large shorebird that belongs to the family of sandpipers. Willets are often seen alone. They walk deliberately, pausing to probe for crabs, worms and other prey in sand and mudflats. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, their population declined due to hunting. Though their population has since increased, they are still considered at risk due to continued habitat loss. Willets nest on the ground in short grass, usually in discreet locations. These birds forage on mudflats or in shallow water, picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects, crustaceans and marine worms. This is a digital painting and photo composite.