summer

summer winter European distribution winter

Identification

The Black-tailed Godwit is a spectacular wader, especially in summer when it has a red head and breast, as well as the distinctive black and white wing and tail pattern. At rest when the wing and tail markings are hidden, both Godwits resemble Curlews but have straighter beaks and in summer, reddish plumage. If plumage details aren't clear, the length of leg visible above the knee joint (which is really the ankle) is always longer on a Black-tail. Black-tails therefore look 'leggier'. In flight Black-tails have long trailing legs and long neck and bill as well as the striking black and white patterns on the wing and tail.

Habitat

Breeds in water-meadows, marshes and rough pasture. Winters on muddy estuaries.

Migration

The Icelandic race winters mainly in Britain, Ireland and western France, with birds from western Europe mainly migrating south, first to Morocco and then on to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. Birds from eastern Europe migrate through Tunisia and Algeria to sub-Saharan Mali and Chad.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Black-tailed Godwit is classed as Common: common species, including species that are certain or probable escapees from captivity when occurring in the British Isles. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Haydn's Pool, Cheshire 28/08/2010	Ring, Cork 21/08/2010	Amble Marshes, Cornwall 25/08/2010	Slimbridge, Glos 24/08/2010	Slimbridge, Glos 24/08/2010
Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria 21/08/2010	Spurn, E Yorks 16/08/2010	Weir Wood Resr, E Sussex 17/08/2010	Weir Wood Resr, E Sussex 17/08/2010	Weir Wood Resr, E Sussex 17/08/2010

 View all pictures of Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Britain
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Romania
Russia
Serbia and Montenegro
Slovakia
Spain
Sweden
Ukraine

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	Gorgeous Godwits	Tuesday 14th August 2007
	For many birdwatchers the godwits are a favourite family of waders, but how do you tell them apart? Find out with our latest illustrated ID guide.

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