Black-tailed Godwit vs Marbled Godwit

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

Marbled Godwit

Limosa fedoa

Large357 gWetland

The total length is 40–50 cm (16–20 in), including a large bill of 8–13 cm (3.1–5.1 in), and wingspan is 70–88 cm (28–35 in). Body mass can vary from 240 to 520 g (8.5 to 18.3 oz). The average weight of 40 males was 326 g (11.5 oz) and that of 45 females was 391 g (13.8 oz). Bill length is from 73.9 to 131 mm (2.91 to 5.16 in). Among all the members of the sandpiper family, only the curlews attain sizes that significantly exceed this species. Adults have long blue-grey legs and a very long pink bill with a slight upward curve and dark at the tip.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Daniel Ruthrauff, USGS, Alaska Science Center · Public domain

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