Bar-Tailed Godwit Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)

The names “Bar-tailed Godwit” and “Long-Haul Godwit” both describe the same species, Limosa lapponica. The nickname “long-haul” is often used informally to refer to the Bar-tailed Godwit because of its impressive ability to migrate long distances. This bird holds the record for the longest non-stop flight of any bird.

How Long Does A Bar-Tailed Godwit Live?

The lifespan of a Bar-tailed Godwit usually spans from 5 to 15 years, although some may survive much longer, depending on their environment and circumstances.

The longest-living Bar-tailed Godwit on record reached the age of 33. These remarkable birds are renowned for their extraordinary long-distance migrations, which play a role in both their impressive lifespan and the difficulties they encounter in their natural habitat.

How Fast Can A Bar-Tailed Godwit Fly?

The Bar-tailed Godwit is well-known for its outstanding flying skills, particularly during its extensive migrations. These birds often cruise at around 50 to 55 kilometres per hour, or about 31 to 34 miles per hour.

They sustain this speed across great distances, even during their extraordinary non-stop flights, like the one from Alaska to New Zealand or Australia, reaching more than 13,000 kilometres (8,000 miles) in just 11 days.

Are Bar-Tailed Godwits Aggressive?

While Bar-tailed Godwits are not normally aggressive, they can be during the breeding season. At this time, they are known to guard their nests and territories with strong displays of aggression, often mirroring their courtship rituals, which may involve in-flight attacks and chasing away any perceived threats.

During the non-breeding season, Bar-tailed Godwits are typically more subdued and take on a more reserved nature, avoiding any form of conflict. They are often observed in large, loosely formed flocks while feeding, and their behaviour is generally calm, though they may be cautious and keep a distance from other birds or potential predators.

What Is A Bar-Tailed Godwit’s Habitat?

Known for frequenting coastal areas, the Bar-tailed Godwit often seeks out mudflats near river mouths, mangroves, and beaches. These habitats are abundant in food, allowing the birds to forage in the mud and sand for worms, molluscs, and aquatic insects.

During the months when they are not breeding, you will find them mainly in coastal areas of the UK, Australia, and different parts of the world, with their movements determined by migration routes.

In the UK, it’s common to find them along the coasts, particularly in spots like The Wash and Morecambe Bay, where large flocks gather as they migrate.

How Long Does It Take For A Bar-Tailed Godwit To Build A Nest?

The nest-building process for Bar-tailed Godwits is quite simple and usually doesn’t take much time, especially when compared to other birds. Their nests are generally just shallow scrapes on the ground with a bit of vegetation, which means the construction is usually done in about a day.

Many ground-nesting birds keep their nest-building simple, concentrating on securing a safe area and providing a proper environment for their eggs instead of constructing an intricate nest.

These birds tend to choose high, dry locations for their nests, often favouring spots with grass, moss, or minimal vegetation. Both the male and female work together to create the nest, which they might line with plant material or leave it unlined, based on the materials they find.

Eggs

Let’s look at when Bar-tailed Godwits lay their eggs, how many they lay, and what these eggs look like.

When Do Bar-Tailed Godwits Lay Eggs?

The breeding season for Bar-tailed Godwits generally falls between late May and early June, which is when they typically lay their eggs. The exact timing may vary a little based on the location of their breeding grounds, which are predominantly in the Arctic areas, including northern Scandinavia, northern Asia, and Alaska.

How Many Eggs Does A Bar-Tailed Godwit Lay?

A clutch of around four eggs is generally laid by Bar-tailed Godwits in a simple, shallow nest on the ground, often padded with moss or other plant material. The male and female godwits both share the duties of incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks once they’ve hatched.

What Do Bar-Tailed Godwit Eggs Look Like?

Typically olive-green to brownish, Bar-tailed Godwit eggs are speckled with darker spots or blotches, which provide excellent camouflage by blending into the tundra landscape where they breed. The eggs tend to be a bit long, generally about 52 to 61 mm in length and 36 to 40 mm in width. 

How Long Do Bar-Tailed Godwit Eggs Take To Hatch?

It typically takes about 21 to 22 days for Bar-tailed Godwit eggs to hatch. Both parents share the incubation, but often, the male assumes a larger role, especially during the day, while the female takes over at night.

Chicks

Here’s a quick look at the life of Bar-tailed Godwit chicks, from their number to the moment they fledge.

How Many Chicks Does A Bar-Tailed Godwit Have?

Usually, Bar-tailed Godwits will have about four chicks after a clutch of four eggs in a simple ground nest. The final number of chicks can vary, influenced by factors such as predation, the weather, and the health of the parents.

When Do Bar-Tailed Godwit Chicks Open Their Eyes?

As precocial birds, Bar-tailed Godwit chicks are born with their eyes already open and they are fairly well-developed from birth. This enables them to become independent soon after hatching, allowing them to leave the nest and follow their parents to nearby wetlands for foraging. Their ability to fend for themselves early on is key to surviving the challenging Arctic environment.

When Do Bar-Tailed Godwit Chicks Fledge?

It takes around 30 days for Bar-tailed Godwit chicks to fledge after they hatch. Shortly after hatching, the chicks’ downy feathers keep them insulated against the cold. They spend most of their time resting and growing until their flight feathers have developed enough for them to take their first flight.

SEE ALSO: Bar-Tailed Godwit Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements

Frequently Asked Questions