RSPB
Skip navigation

Birds by name

Bar-tailed godwit

Conservation status: Amber

A long-billed, long-legged wading bird which visits UK shores for the winter. Most usually seen in its grey-brown winter plumage, birds in spring may show their full rich chestnut breeding plumage. In flight it shows a white patch stretching from the rump up the back, narrowing to a point. It breeds in the Arctic of Scandinavia and Siberia and hundreds of thousands of them pass through the UK, on their way further south, or stop off here for the winter.

Overview

Latin name

Limosa lapponica

Family

Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)

Where to see them

Largest numbers occur on large estuaries - the Wash, Thames, Ribble, Dee, Humber, Solway and Forth estuaries, and Lough Foyle for example.

When to see them

Highest numbers are seen here between November and February, with numbers starting to build in July and August and falling off in March and April. Small numbers of non-breeding birds can be seen throughout the summer.

What they eat

Worms, snails and insects.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
--38,000 birds-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

In the UK
Most coastlines
In Europe
Scandinavia and coasts of western Europe
Worldwide
Europe, Asia, Africa, Asia and N America

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Patrik Aberg, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Bar-tailed godwit (winter)

Bar-tailed godwit - non-breeding plumage
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, white, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, red/pink
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: black/grey, brown
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground

Bar-tailed godwit (male breeding)

Bar-tailed godwit - Breeding-plumaged male
  • Colouring: Male
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, red, orange, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, red/pink
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: black/grey, brown
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground

Similar birds