The Short-billed Dowitcher breeds in Canada and Alaska and winters along the North to the South American coast. The Short-billed Dowitcher is similar to the Long-billed Dowitcher. The bill is shorter for each of the sexes for the Short-billed Dowitcher but the male Long-billed is about the same size as the female Short-billed Dowitcher.

During breeding Dowitchers eat insects and insect larvae. Otherwise, they eat mollusks, crustaceans, marine worms, and other aquatic invertebrates.