Bird Guide

Bar-tailed Godwit vs Black-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponica

Medium292 gWetland

The bar-tailed godwit is a relatively short-legged species of godwit. The bill-to-tail length is 37–41 cm (15–16 in), with a wingspan of 70–80 cm (28–31 in). Males average smaller than females but with much overlap; males weigh 190–400 g (6.7–14.1 oz), while females weigh 260–630 g (9.2–22.2 oz); there is also some regional variation in size (see subspecies, below). The adult has blue-grey legs and a long, tapering, slightly upturned bi-coloured bill, pink at the base and black towards the tip. The neck, breast and belly are unbroken brick red in breeding plumage, and dark brown above.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0
Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosa

Medium288 gWetland

The black-tailed godwit is a large wader with long bill (7.5 to 12 cm (3.0 to 4.7 in) long), neck and legs. During the breeding season, the bill has a yellowish or orange-pink base and dark tip; the base is pink in winter. The legs are dark grey, brown or black. The sexes are similar, but in breeding plumage, they can be separated by the male's brighter, more extensive orange breast, neck and head. In winter, adult black-tailed godwits have a uniform brown-grey breast and upperparts (in contrast to the bar-tailed godwit's streaked back).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Jochem verweij · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Clare Edwards · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Bar-tailed Godwit and Black-tailed Godwit.