Quick Facts

Scientific name:  Limosa limosa

Size:  Approximately 40cm, wingspan around 70 to 75cm

Distribution:  Can be found around many parts of the UK coast

Months seen:  All year round

Life Span: Approx 15 years (source BTO)

Habitat:  Coastal estuaries, mudflats and lagoons

Food:  Invertebrates

Special features:  Black-tailed godwits are large wading birds with a straight beak and long legs.  The plumage in winter is a grey-brown colour.  In summer the neck and breast are an orange-brown colour and the flanks are barred with similar coloured stripes.

The tail is all black.  A similar looking bird is the 'Bar-tailed godwit', which as the name suggests, has a black tail which is barred with white stripes.

In flight, large white sections on the undersides of the wings are visible.

The black-tailed godwit is a red listed species.  Few birds breed in the UK, but the population is swelled in the winter with birds migrating from Iceland.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Birds Section
• Identify other wildlife
• Free Newsletter