ExploreBirds

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponica

The Bar-tailed Godwit is a long-legged bird known for its amazing long migrations. It has a beautiful, long bill and can be seen in coastal areas looking for food.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Bar-tailed Godwit has a long, slightly upturned bill and long legs, perfect for wading. In breeding season, males show rich rufous-chestnut undersides, while females are duller. Its subtly barred tail is visible in flight.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyScolopacidaeGenusLimosa
Bar-tailed Godwit
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgecoastal trait badgecarnivorous trait badge
Bar-tailed Godwit

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Newly hatched Bar-tailed Godwit chicks can leave the nest and find food for themselves almost immediately.

Their scientific name, Limosa lapponica, fittingly means "muddy from Lapland," describing their favorite wet habitats.

These amazing birds can sense and respond to changes in barometric pressure, helping them avoid storms during migration.

They double their body weight, mostly fat, before their astonishing non-stop migratory flights!

Special abilities

Ability

Endurance Flight Master

Bar-tailed Godwit can fly over 11,000 km non-stop because they efficiently store massive amounts of fat, helping them cross vast oceans.

Ability

Organ Shrinker

This bird can temporarily shrink its internal organs (like intestines) before migration, helping them lighten their load for epic journeys.

Ability

Precision Prober

Bar-tailed Godwits have a long, flexible bill with sensitive tips that helps them locate and extract hidden prey from deep within the mud.

Ability

Global Navigator

Bar-tailed Godwits possess an innate sense of direction, helping them navigate across hemispheres with incredible accuracy.

Measurements & details

Length
37-41 cm
Wingspan
70-82 cm
Weight
0.19-0.63 kg
Lifespan
10-29 years
Top Speed
55 km/h
Clutch Size
3-5
Incubation
21-23 days
Migration Distance
11000 km

Diet & Feeding

They slurp up yummy worms and shellfish hidden in the mud with their long bills.

Primary Foods

  • marine worms
  • bivalves (clams)
  • crustaceans (shrimp)
  • insect larvae

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

A formidable predator, sometimes preying on adult godwits.

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

May prey on eggs and young chicks in their Arctic breeding grounds.

depends on

Lugworm

Arenicola marina

A primary food source, found burrowed in the mud of intertidal zones.

depends on

Baltic Tellin

Macoma balthica

Common bivalve found in muddy sands, a favorite food for probing bills.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and do not disturb their nests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Bar-tailed Godwit?

37-41 cm

What is Bar-tailed Godwit's wingspan?

70-82 cm

How much does Bar-tailed Godwit weigh?

0.19-0.63 kg

How long does Bar-tailed Godwit live?

10-29 years

How fast can Bar-tailed Godwit move?

55 km/h

What does Bar-tailed Godwit eat?

They slurp up yummy worms and shellfish hidden in the mud with their long bills.

Where is Bar-tailed Godwit usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Bar-tailed Godwit hunt?

Foraging

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