Bar-tailed Godwit
Near ThreatenedLimosa lapponica
Visual Identification
Bar-tailed Godwit
Appearance
The Bar-tailed Godwit is a large shorebird with a long, slightly upturned bill. In breeding plumage, males display rich chestnut-red underparts, while females are paler with mottled brown colouration. Both sexes have a distinctive barred tail, giving the species its name.
Non-breeding adults are predominantly grey-brown above and white below, with females appearing larger and paler than males. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but have buff-tinged upperparts and a shorter bill.
Size
Length
37cm to 41cm
Wingspan
70cm to 80cm
Weight
190g to 400g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Grey
Secondary Colour
White
Beak Colour
Pink Black
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Bar-tailed Godwits inhabit coastal areas, including mudflats, estuaries, and sandy beaches across their vast range. They breed in Arctic tundra regions of Alaska, Scandinavia, and Siberia.
During non-breeding seasons, they migrate to coastal areas in temperate and tropical regions. Significant populations can be found in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and parts of Western Europe, including the UK.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 440 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic, Tropical
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Bar-tailed Godwits primarily feed on invertebrates such as worms, molluscs, and crustaceans. They use their long, sensitive bills to probe deep into mud or sand, often feeding in rhythm with the tides.
During the breeding season, they may also consume berries and insects.
Behaviour
Bar-tailed Godwits are known for their incredible long-distance migrations, flying non-stop for up to nine days. They forage by probing their long bills deep into mud or sand, often in large flocks.
During the breeding season, males perform elaborate aerial displays to attract mates.
Vocalisation
Bar-tailed Godwits have a variety of calls, including a soft, piping 'ku-wee' or 'ku-wee-wee' often heard in flight.
During the breeding season, males produce a series of rapid, descending notes as part of their display, sounding like 'tu-tu-tu-tu-tu'.
Nesting & Breeding
Bar-tailed Godwits form monogamous pairs each breeding season, typically arriving on Arctic breeding grounds in late May or early June. Males perform elaborate aerial displays to attract females.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often lined with lichen or leaves. Females usually lay four olive-green eggs with dark spots. Both parents share incubation duties.
The incubation period lasts about 20-21 days. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching. They fledge after 28-30 days, quickly preparing for their first long-distance migration.
Lifespan
The Bar-tailed Godwit typically lives for 5 to 15 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 34 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Near Threatened Globally, Bar-tailed Godwits face threats from habitat loss due to coastal development and climate change.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting key stopover sites along their migration routes and preserving breeding grounds in the Arctic. In Europe, Bar-tailed Godwits are listed as Least Concern.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Bar-tailed Godwits on coastal mudflats and estuaries during migration seasons.
- Observe their distinctive feeding behaviour, probing deeply into the mud with their long bills.
- Listen for their soft, piping calls, especially when in flight.
- In the UK and New Zealand, watch for large flocks during spring and autumn migrations.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Kuaka, Pacific Bar-tailed Godwit
Family:
ScolopacidaePredators
Did You Know?
- Bar-tailed Godwits hold the record for the longest non-stop flight of any land bird, flying up to 11,000 km in one go.
- They can double their body weight before migration, storing fat for their long journey.
- Their long bills can change length seasonally, growing longer in winter for probing deeper into mud.
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FAQs
How far can a Bar-tailed Godwit fly?
Bar-tailed Godwits can fly an astonishing 11,000 kilometres (7,000 miles) non-stop between the tundra of Western Alaska and the shores of New Zealand, the longest single flight known. Those birds take a longer return route via China to complete a staggering annual migration of approximately 29,000 kilometres or 18,000 miles.
How fast do Bar-tailed Godwits fly?
Bar-tailed Godwits are fast-flying birds that can travel at 70 to 80 kilometres (43 - 50 miles) per hour, although favourable winds allow them to travel much faster, and headwinds make the going much slower. Even at these speeds, their longest migrations may require more than eight days of non-stop flight!
Do Bar-tailed Godwits sleep while flying?
It is unknown whether Bar-tailed Godwits sleep during migration because they are so difficult to monitor. However, other long-flying species like Frigatebirds have the ability to put one-half of their brains to sleep during flight (a process known as unihemispheric sleep) and the Godwits may be able to do the same.
Similar Birds
References
- 2 4
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Limosa lapponica (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22693158A111221714.
View source - 3
report, 2017: Wetlands International
- 1
website, 2012: Robinson and Clark, The Online Ringing Report: Bird ringing in Britain & Ireland in 2011
View source