Black-tailed Godwit Bird Facts (Limosa limosa)

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

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Algeria Armenia Australia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brunei Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Central African Republic Chad China Côte D'Ivoire Croatia Cyprus Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti East Timor (Timor-Leste) Egypt Eritrea Ethiopia Finland France Gambia Germany Ghana Greece Guinea Guinea-Bissau Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Ireland Italy Japan Kenya Kuwait Libya Liechtenstein Mali Malta Mauritania Moldova Montenegro Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia Niger Nigeria North Korea Oman Pakistan Papua New Guinea Philippines Poland Qatar Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tanzania The United Kingdom Tunisia Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Western Sahara Yemen Zambia

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Austria Czech Republic Estonia Faroe Islands Kazakhstan Latvia Lithuania Mongolia Norway Russia Slovakia Sweden Tajikistan

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Afghanistan Albania Benin Bulgaria Hong Kong Iraq Israel Kiribati Liberia Macedonia Malaysia Micronesia Portugal Rwanda South Sudan Thailand Togo Turkey Vietnam

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Andorra Canada Cape Verde Comoros Gabon Greenland Laos Madagascar Malawi Maldives Namibia New Zealand Puerto Rico Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Pierre and Miquelon Seychelles South Africa Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Trinidad and Tobago United States of America US Virgin Islands Zimbabwe

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Black-tailed Godwit demonstrates remarkable agility, particularly during its long-distance migrations and aerial displays. Its ability to navigate diverse wetland habitats and perform intricate flight manoeuvres suggests high manoeuvrability and spatial awareness.

Strength 65

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong for its size, the Black-tailed Godwit possesses adequate strength to undertake long-distance flights and probe deeply into mud with its bill. Its ability to carry out these activities indicates a moderate level of muscular power.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

This species shows impressive adaptability, thriving in various wetland habitats across different continents and climate zones. Its capacity to adjust to seasonal changes, diverse feeding grounds, and ability to utilise both coastal and inland areas for breeding and wintering demonstrates high adaptability.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Black-tailed Godwits are generally non-aggressive birds, often seen in gregarious flocks. While males may display territorial behaviour during breeding season, they are not known for exceptional aggression. Their primary defence strategy appears to be vigilance rather than confrontation.

Endurance 95

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The endurance of the Black-tailed Godwit is truly remarkable. Its ability to undertake long-distance migrations, flying at speeds up to 60 mph, coupled with its longevity (living up to 25 years in the wild) and capacity for sustained feeding activity, all point to exceptional stamina and resilience.

Diet

Black-tailed Godwits primarily feed on invertebrates such as insects, worms, and molluscs. They use their long, sensitive bills to probe deep into mud or shallow water.

During migration, they may also consume plant material, including seeds and rhizomes of aquatic plants.

Behaviour

Black-tailed Godwits are highly gregarious, often seen in large flocks during migration and winter. They wade in shallow water, probing deeply with their long bills for invertebrates.

During the breeding season, males perform elaborate aerial displays, calling loudly while flying in circles to attract mates.

Vocalisation

The Black-tailed Godwit has a distinctive call, often described as a loud, clear 'wik-wik-wik' or 'tu-tu-tu'.

During breeding season, males produce a more melodious song that sounds like 'toodle-oodle-oodle', often given during display flights.

Nesting & Breeding

Black-tailed Godwits form monogamous pairs and breed in the spring. Males perform elaborate aerial displays and vocalisations to attract mates. The breeding season typically starts in April or May, depending on the location.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often in damp meadows or marshes, lined with grass and leaves. Females usually lay 3-4 olive-green eggs with brown spots. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs.

Incubation lasts about 22-24 days. Chicks are precocial and can leave the nest shortly after hatching. They fledge after 25-30 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Near Threatened ^[1]

The Black-tailed Godwit is classified as Near Threatened due to habitat loss and degradation. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland habitats, particularly in breeding areas.

International cooperation is crucial for safeguarding their migratory routes and wintering grounds.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

614,000 - 809,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Black-tailed Godwits in coastal mudflats and estuaries during migration
Listen for their distinctive 'wik-wik-wik' call in flight
Observe their unique feeding behaviour, probing deep into mud with their long bills
In the UK, visit nature reserves like the Ouse Washes or Minsmere RSPB reserve for good viewing opportunities

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Continental Black-tailed Godwit

Family:

Scolopacidae

Average Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Max Lifespan

23.6 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators include large birds of prey such as Peregrine Falcons and Goshawks, as well as foxes and other ground predators that may target eggs and chicks.

Did You Know?

Black-tailed Godwits can fly at speeds of up to 60 mph during migration.
They have been known to live for over 25 years in the wild.
Their long bills are highly sensitive and can detect prey items buried deep in mud.

References

1 3
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Limosa limosa (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22693150A111611637.
View source
2
report, 2016: Wetlands International
4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source