Black-Tailed Godwit

Scientific name: Limosa limosa

Did you know: the Black-tailed Godwit has a distinctive and easily recognizable call. They are known for their long, drawn-out and melodic “gleep” call, which is often heard during their breeding season.

The Black-Tailed Godwit is a medium-sized wading bird that is native to Europe and Asia. They are known for their long thin beak which helps them to probe deep into the mud and sand to find food, such as worms, insects, and other small invertebrates. These birds can often be seen doing this in wetlands and marshes across various areas in the UK.

What Does A Black-Tailed Godwit Look Like?

The Black-Tailed Godwit is a medium sized, long-legged shorebird with a distinctive, slightly upturned bill. It has a reddish-brown head, neck, and breast, with a white belly and a black tail.

The wings are pale brown, with black wingtips and a white stripe running along the upperwing.

In breeding plumage, the male’s head and neck become a brighter red, and the female has a distinctive white forehead and crown.

Black-Tailed Godwit Images

Facts About The Black-Tailed Godwit

Diet: They eat insects, worms, snails, plants and beetles
Bird Family: Sandpipers, snipes and phalaropes
Length: 39 - 44cm
Wingspan: 70 - 83 cm
Weight: 275 - 345g
Scientific Name: Limosa limosa

The Black-Tailed Godwit Can Be Seen In The UK During The Following Months

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December