Bar-tailed Godwit

Identification

The bar-tailed godwit is a large wader measuring 37–41 cm in bill-to-tail length with a wingspan of 70–80 cm. Its most distinctive features are a long, slightly upturned bill that is pink at the base and black toward the tip, and blue-grey legs. Breeding males are unmistakable, displaying a striking brick-red neck, breast, and belly with dark brown upperparts. Females in breeding plumage are much duller, showing chestnut to cinnamon tones on the belly. Non-breeding birds and those seen in the Southern Hemisphere are plain grey-brown with darker feather centres, creating a striped appearance, and are whitish underneath. The species is easily distinguished from the black-tailed godwit by its black-and-white horizontally-barred tail rather than a wholly black one, and by the absence of white wing bars.

Males are generally smaller than females, with males weighing 190–400 g and females weighing 260–630 g, though there is considerable overlap and regional size variation among subspecies. Breeding plumage does not become fully apparent until the third year, allowing experienced observers to distinguish age classes in the field. Immature males during their first northward migration are noticeably paler than more mature individuals.

Range & habitat

Bar-tailed godwits breed across Arctic coasts and tundra from Scandinavia to Alaska, with five recognised subspecies showing distinct breeding and wintering ranges. The European subspecies winters on coasts from the British Isles and Netherlands south to South Africa and around the Persian Gulf, while Siberian populations winter in western Europe, western Africa, southeast Asia, and northwest Australia. The Alaskan subspecies (L. l. baueri) undertakes the most remarkable migration, traveling all the way to eastern Australia and New Zealand.

Throughout their range, bar-tailed godwits favour coastal mudflats and estuaries where they feed on bristle-worms and shellfish. These habitats provide the rich invertebrate resources essential for both breeding and non-breeding populations.

Behaviour & diet

The bar-tailed godwit is one of the world's most strongly migratory birds, undertaking journeys of extraordinary length and endurance. The Alaskan subspecies migrates directly across the Pacific Ocean, covering approximately 11,000 km non-stop between breeding grounds and wintering areas—the longest known non-stop flight of any bird and the longest journey without pausing to feed by any animal. The round-trip migration for this subspecies exceeds 29,000 km. To accomplish these epic journeys, bar-tailed godwits carry the greatest fat loads of any studied migratory bird, even reducing the size of their digestive organs to maximise fuel capacity.

The species feeds primarily on bristle-worms and shellfish found on coastal mudflats and estuaries. Different subspecies follow distinct migration routes: those breeding in Siberia track the coast of Asia, while Alaskan birds migrate directly across the Pacific to Australasia. All populations spend the Northern Hemisphere summer breeding in the Arctic and make a long-distance southward migration in winter to temperate regions.

Best time & places to see it

Bar-tailed godwits are best observed during migration periods and on their wintering grounds. In the Southern Hemisphere, they are present from approximately September through March. New Zealand hosts approximately 75,000 birds of the Alaskan subspecies, making it one of the most reliable locations for viewing this species. European and African coasts host the smaller lapponica subspecies during winter months.

Look for them on coastal mudflats and estuaries at low tide, where they probe the substrate for food. Timing visits to coincide with migration periods—spring and autumn—increases the likelihood of encountering these remarkable travellers.

Photography tips

Photograph bar-tailed godwits on mudflats and estuaries during low tide when they are actively feeding and most accessible. Capture the distinctive slightly upturned bill and blue-grey legs in sharp detail. If photographing during breeding season, the brilliant brick-red plumage of males provides striking colour contrast; however, breeding birds are encountered primarily in remote Arctic regions.

On wintering grounds in the Southern Hemisphere and Europe, birds display non-breeding plumage of grey-brown tones. Wide-angle shots showing flocks on extensive mudflats convey their habitat preferences, while detailed portraits reveal the subtle plumage patterns and structure that distinguish this species from similar waders.