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 Long-billed Dowitchers eat insects and insect larvae. Otherwise, they eat molluscs, crustaceans, marine worms, and other aquatic invertebrates.