Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosa

With its striking orange-red breeding plumage and long, probing bill, this elegant wader is a highlight of UK wetlands and coastal areas.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Black-tailed Godwit is a large wader with long legs and a distinctively long, straight bill. In breeding plumage, it displays rich chestnut-red underparts, contrasting with a brown-streaked head and neck. Its back is mottled brown, and its long black tail has a striking white base.

Females are typically larger and duller than males. In winter, both sexes adopt a more subdued grey-brown plumage. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but have a buff tinge to their plumage.

Size

Length

40cm to 44cm

Wingspan

70cm to 82cm

Weight

280g to 500g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Brown Black White

Secondary Colour

Grey Rufous

Beak Colour

Pink Orange

Leg Colour

Black

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour (Female)

White

Beak Colour (Female)

Pink Orange

Leg Colour (Female)

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Black-tailed Godwit is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Black-tailed Godwit is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Black-tailed Godwit can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Black-tailed Godwit can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Black-tailed Godwit is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Black-tailed Godwit is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Black-tailed Godwit can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Black-tailed Godwit is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Black-tailed Godwit is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Black-tailed Godwit is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Black-tailed Godwit is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Black-tailed Godwit is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Black-tailed Godwits inhabit various wetland habitats, including coastal mudflats, estuaries, marshes, and wet grasslands. They breed across northern Europe and Asia, from Iceland to Siberia. During winter, they migrate to coastal areas in Western Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of South Asia.

In the UK, they are both breeding birds and winter visitors, with important populations in East Anglia and the Wash. Outside of Europe, they can be found in coastal regions of Africa and Asia during non-breeding seasons.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Black-tailed Godwit. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons