Belongs to: large waders

Compare with: bar-tailed godwit

Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa

Birds of Conservation Concern Red List


Best time to see: mid Jul to end Apr

Key facts

Large long-legged wader of estuarine habitat with a long straight bill

Habitat: estuaries, marshes and flooded fields

Common winter visitor but scarce breeder in UK; main population in E. and N. Europe

Recognition

Large long-legged wader with long straight bill; speckled grey and chestnut upperparts, chestnut below; black legs

Normally seen feeding bill down in mud or water

Eats worms, molluscs and insects; in flight shows black-and-white wingbar

Lifecycle

Nest is a lined scrape on ground

1 Brood April - June; 4 green eggs blotched brown

  • Main photo

Photo © Alan Williams