Hudsonian Godwit
Limosa haemastica
The Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) is a uncommon sandpiper found in 50 countries, weighing about 253 g. The Hudsonian godwit is a large shorebird in the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae.
About the Hudsonian Godwit
The Hudsonian godwit is a large shorebird in the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae. It is a long distance migratory species that breeds at remote sites in northern Canada and winters in southern South America. The genus name Limosa is from Latin and means "muddy", from limus, "mud". The specific haemastica is from Ancient Greek and means "bloody".The English term "godwit" is believed to imitate the bird's call.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in South Africa, Portugal, Dominican Republic, Martinique, Montserrat, St. Barthélemy, Norway.
When to see it
Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in May. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Hudsonian Godwit?
- Adults have long dark legs and a long pink bill with a slight upward curve and dark at the tip. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Hudsonian Godwit?
- The Hudsonian Godwit is a medium sized bird weighing about 253 g.
- Where can you see a Hudsonian Godwit?
- The Hudsonian Godwit occurs in 50 countries, including the United States, Canada, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.
- What birds look similar to a Hudsonian Godwit?
- The Hudsonian Godwit is most easily confused with the Bar-tailed Godwit, the Black-tailed Godwit and the Marbled Godwit.
- Is the Hudsonian Godwit endangered?
- The Hudsonian Godwit is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Hudsonian Godwit for real
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