Godwits are medium-sized shorebirds belonging to the genus Limosa. There are 6 species of godwits that can be found across the globe, with some species breeding in the Arctic and migrating long distances to spend the winter in warmer climates. Godwits can be identified by their long legs, long straight or slightly upturned bill, and colorful breeding plumage. When identifying godwits, it’s important to pay attention to size, bill shape, leg color, and plumage details. With some practice, birders can learn to recognize the different godwit species by sight and sound.
Size
Godwits range in size from the relatively small Marbled Godwit at 15-19 inches, up to the large Bar-tailed Godwit which can reach 20-24 inches. The Hudsonian, Black-tailed, and Bar-tailed Godwits are all quite large shorebirds. While the Marbled Godwit is closer in size to a Willet or Dowitcher. Taking into account the differences in size can help narrow down godwit species when trying to make an identification.
Marbled Godwit
The Marbled Godwit is the smallest godwit species. At 15-19 inches with a wingspan around 30 inches, it’s noticeably smaller than the other godwits. Around the same size as a Willet.
Hudsonian Godwit
Hudsonian Godwits measure 16-19 inches with a wingspan of 29-32 inches. They are on the smaller size for godwits along with the Marbled.
Bar-tailed Godwit
The Bar-tailed Godwit is the largest godwit species, measuring 20-24 inches with a wingspan up to 38 inches. It dwarfs most other shorebirds when seen together.
Bill Shape
The bill shape of godwits can also aid identification. Godwits may have bills that are straight, slightly upturned, or strongly upcurved.
Straight Bill
The Hudsonian and Marbled Godwits have long straight bills. The bill may show a very slight uptick at the end, but is not noticeably curved or upturned.
Slightly Upturned
The Black-tailed Godwit has a bill that shows a subtle upturn or curvature to the end, although it is still fairly straight through most of its length.
Strongly Upcurved
The Bar-tailed Godwit has a noticeably upturned bill, where the end curves strongly upward. This gives it a unique profile compared to other godwits.
Leg Color
The coloration of the legs and feet can also be a useful clue when identifying godwits:
Marbled Godwit
Dark gray to bluish-gray legs
Hudsonian Godwit
Dark greenish legs
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black legs
Black-tailed Godwit
Bright pinkish-orange legs
The bright orange legs of the Black-tailed stand out compared to the darker legs of other godwit species. This can serve as a quick identification marker in the field.
Plumage
When it comes to plumage, there are a few key features to pay attention to when identifying godwits:
Marbled Godwit
– Richly colored reddish plumage on neck and undersides in breeding season
– Dark barred tail
– White wing stripe visible in flight
Hudsonian Godwit
– Gray-brown upperparts
– Chestnut neck and head in breeding plumage
– Black and white barred tail
Bar-tailed Godwit
– Mostly gray plumage with white undersides
– Namesake black and white barred tail
– Brick red head and neck in breeding season
Black-tailed Godwit
– Bright rusty head, neck, and belly in breeding plumage
– White wing stripe visible in flight
– Black tail with no barring
The breeding plumage of Hudsonian, Bar-tailed, and Black-tailed Godwits in particular can help differentiate between these species. Paying attention to subtle plumage clues like neck color, tail patterns, and wing stripes seen in flight helps pin down the identification.
Range and Habitat
The ranges and habitat preferences of godwits can provide additional clues to the identification:
Species | Range | Habitat |
---|---|---|
Marbled Godwit | West coast of North America | Coastal estuaries, mudflats, inland wetlands |
Hudsonian Godwit | Interior North America, winters in South America | Prairie wetlands, tidal mudflats along migration route |
Bar-tailed Godwit | Coasts of Alaska, winters in Australia and New Zealand | Mudflats, estuaries, lagoons |
Black-tailed Godwit | Iceland, breeds across Europe and Asia | Freshwater wetlands, muddy fields |
For instance, a godwit spotted deep in the interior of North America is much more likely to be a Hudsonian Godwit than a Bar-tailed which would be out of range. Paying attention to range and habitat can help eliminate some ID possibilities based on location alone.
Behavior and Feeding Style
Godwits exhibit some typical shorebird behaviors that are useful to observe for identification:
Feeding
Godwits forage in shallow water or wet mud, probing deeply with their long bills to catch worms, insects, and other invertebrates. The Bar-tailed Godwit has been recorded making deeper probes, up to 10 inches into the mud to catch prey.
Probing
They probe repeatedly into wet substrates while walking steadily. The speed and intensity of their probing behavior can help distinguish them from dowitchers and yellowlegs.
Flocking
During migration and wintering seasons, godwits congregate in large densely packed flocks, sometimes numbering in the thousands of birds. This can be a clue to look for godwits.
Flight
In flight, godwits display long wings and a swift, direct flight style. Their long legs extend noticeably beyond the tail in flight.
Vocalizations
Godwits give sharp, ringing calls in flight and softer conversational chattering when feeding. Getting familiar with their vocalizations helps confirm the ID.
Observing how an unknown godwit is feeding and associating in a flock can help confirm the identification based on behavior.
Similar Species
There are a few other large shorebirds that could potentially be confused with godwits:
Willets
Willets appear somewhat similar but have shorter bills and legs. They show more distinct wing markings in flight.
Dowitchers
Dowitchers probe constantly like godwits but have a more sewing machine-like feeding action. Their bills are shorter than godwits.
Yellowlegs
The fairly short, thin bills and yellow legs identify Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. Yellowlegs also bob their tails frequently when feeding.
Curlews
Larger in size than godwits with extremely long decurved bills. The Long-billed Curlew shows cinnamon underwings in flight.
Taking note of subtle differences in size, proportions, behavior, and voice can help distinguish between godwits and similar shorebirds. With practice, the gestalt of a godwit becomes easier to recognize.
Conclusion
Identifying godwits involves looking at a suite of physical features and behaviors. Size, bill shape, leg color, plumage details, range, habitat preferences, feeding style, and voice all provide clues to pin down which species is present. Studying the field marks and developing familiarity with how godwits look and act goes a long way in mastering ID of these elegant shorebirds. Armed with the knowledge of key identification features, birders can confidently spot and appreciate these migratory shorebirds wherever they occur around the globe.