Winter plumage. Taken at Titchwell, Norfolk, on October 16th 2025. (© David Hastings)
(Canon R7+RF100-500+1.4x, f/10, 1/1250th, ISO2000, 420mm. Click image for larger version)
Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 31st 2014. (© David Hastings)
(1/640th sec at f13.. Click image for larger version)

Description

L: 37 - 42 cm (incl. bill); WS: 63 - 74 cm

Black-tailed Godwits are large wading birds. In summer, they have bright orangey-brown chests and bellies, but in winter they are greyish-brown. Their most distinctive features are their long beaks and legs, and the black and white stripes on their wings.

British resident birds migrate to Africa in the winter. Icelandic birds winter in the UK.

The Black-tailed Godwit breeds on extensive wet meadows, grassy marshes, and boggy moorland.

This is a red list species. There are about 60 breeding pairs in the British Isles. Around 44000 Icelandic birds over-winter here.

Sightings