Limosa limosa

Black-tailed Godwit

We’ve come across quite a few pairs of these beautiful birds, some of them remarkably confiding, and it has been a real pleasure to watch them in their stunning breeding plumage.

There is something special about seeing a Black-tailed Godwit in the early morning light. Every now and then, one will perch on a post, calling out for a partner as the first golden rays of the sun catch its rich, orangey-brown chest and belly. For such a large wader, they have an incredible elegance about them, particularly when standing tall on those long legs, almost surveying the landscape from above.

Black-tailed Godwits are impressive birds, their long, straight bills are perfectly adapted for probing wet ground and soft mud for insects, worms and other invertebrates. Interestingly, females are generally larger than males and have noticeably longer bills, allowing the two sexes to feed on slightly different prey and reduce competition between them.

Their breeding plumage is particularly striking. Males can develop a rich brick-red or orange-brown colour across the head, neck and underparts, contrasting beautifully with their patterned wings, white rump and black tail. Outside the breeding season they become much more subdued, taking on predominantly grey-brown plumage.