Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosa

Genus · Godwits Family · Sandpipers and Allies
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
MarineMarshy grassland

Look for the very straight, long bill. In flight, look for the black tail and the bold white wing-bars.

Black-tailed Godwit

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan70–82 cm
Weight280–500 g
Length36–44 cm
Lifespan wild10–25 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeScrape
Clutch size3–6 eggs
Incubation22–24 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
NT
Near Threatened (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Omnivore

🌾Grain
🦗Insects
🐚Mollusks
🌻Seeds
🪱Worms

Habitat

🌿 Grassland🌊 Marine🌾 Marsh🏞️ River
✦ Fun Fact

Black-tailed Godwits form long-term pairs that reunite each spring on the same breeding grounds, despite migrating independently and wintering in different countries.

About

An elegant, long-legged wader of European wetlands. In breeding plumage, it has a rich orange-cinnamon head and breast. In winter, it turns a uniform grey-brown. It lives in wet grasslands and floodplains. It is a species of high conservation concern due to the loss of damp hay meadows.

Behaviour

Black-tailed Godwits are social birds and fly in large, synchronized flocks. They forage by probing mud deeply for worms and snails. In flight, they show broad white wing-bars and a white tail with a sharp black band. Their call is a loud, ringing 'wicka-wicka-wicka'.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

In summer, the orange-red color on his breast is more intense. It extends further down the belly, which is heavily barred with black.

♀ Female

Generally larger with a longer bill. Her breeding colors are paler and more washed-out than the male's.

Similar species

Eurasian Curlew
🐦
Eurasian Curlew
Numenius arquata
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