Bird Guide

Black-tailed Godwit vs Hudsonian Godwit

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
Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica)

Hudsonian Godwit

Limosa haemastica

Medium253 gWetland

Adults have long dark legs and a long pink bill with a slight upward curve and dark at the tip. The upper parts are mottled brown and the underparts are chestnut. The tail is black and the rump is white. They show black wing linings in flight. The legs and feet are bluish-grey.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: (c) Gustavo Masuzzo, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

Where you might meet both

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