Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosa

Family: Sandpipers and Allies · Status: Rare migrant · Size: 36–40 cm · Conservation: Near Threatened

Range

Breeds across western and central Europe, western Russia, the Russian Far East, Mongolia, and northeastern China. Winters in Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australasia.

Identification

Fairly large wader with long black legs and a long, straight bi-coloured bill (pink base, black tip). In non-breeding plumage, shows plain grey head, neck, and breast with white belly, smooth upperparts lacking thick dark covert centres. In breeding plumage, shows reddish-rufous head and neck, white underparts with dark barring. Distinguished from Bar-tailed Godwit by solid black tail and contrasting white uppertail-coverts (most obvious in flight), bold white wingbar in flight, straighter bill, and more uniform brown upperparts. Asian Dowitcher has a thicker, blunt-tipped bill.

Habitat

Mudflats, sandflats, coastal pools, and flooded grasslands.

Behaviour

Associates with Eurasian Whimbrels in Singapore.