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Black-tailed Godwit · Field Guide · Things With Wings

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Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosa

Not yet photographed by the community

Orange-red in summer; black-and-white wing pattern in flight.

Species Profile

Amber List (breeding population declining; winter visitors stable)

Lifespan: 12–15 years in the wild
Size & Weight: 40–42 cm, wingspan 70–82 cm; 190–340 g
Habitat: Breeds on wet grasslands, marshes, and fens; winters on estuaries, coastal mudflats, and inland wetlands.
UK Distribution: Breeds locally in England (particularly East Anglia and the Midlands) and Wales; much larger numbers winter on UK coasts and estuaries, with populations supplemented by continental migrants from August to April.
Diet: Probes in mud and soil for invertebrates; also picks food from the surface and in shallow water.
Prey: Earthworms, insect larvae, small crustaceans, and molluscs
Predators: Foxes, stoats, and corvids (for eggs and chicks); raptors such as Peregrines and Merlins (for adults)
Mating Season: April to June
Breeding: Clutch of 3–4 eggs; incubation period 22–24 days; single brood per year; chicks fledge at 30–35 days old.
Behaviour: Highly vocal and territorial during breeding season, performing elaborate aerial displays. Forms large flocks on wintering grounds, often mixing with other wader species. Uses its long, slightly upturned bill to probe deep into soft substrates.

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 24 June 2026

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