The Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa, is a large shorebird. It is a relatively long-legged member of the godwit genus.

Taxonomy:

Class: Aves

Order: Charadriiformes

Family: Scolopacidae

Genus: Limosa

Species: L. limosa

Binomial name Limosa limosa (Linnaeus, 1758)

Subspecies: Limosa limosa islandica

Limosa limosa limosa

Limosa limosa melanuroides

Distribution:

They migrate in flocks to western Europe, Africa, south Asia and Australia. Interestingly, although this species occurs in Ireland and Great Britain all year round, they are not the same birds. The breeding birds depart in autumn, but are replaced in winter by the larger Icelandic race, L. l. islandica. These birds occasionally appear in the Aleutian Islands and, rarely, on the Atlantic coast of North America.

Physical Characteristics:

The Black-tailed Godwit is a spectacular wader, especially in summer when it has a red head and breast, as well as the distinctive black and white wing and tail pattern. At rest when the wing and tail markings are hidden, both Godwits resemble Curlews but have straighter beaks and in summer, reddish plumage. If plumage details aren't clear, the length of leg visible above the knee joint (which is really the ankle) is always longer on a Black-tail. Black-tails therefore look 'leggier'. In flight Black-tails have long trailing legs and long neck and bill as well as the striking black and white patterns on the wing and tail.

A large sandpiper reaching 44 cm long, with a wingspan of 63 - 75 cm. It has a distinctive long, straight bill that is pink with a black tip. The wing has a white wing-bar across the dark flight feathers, and white underwing coverts. There is a sharp demarcation between the white rump and the black tail. Legs are greenish-black, long and trailing. The non-breeding plumage, observed in Australia, is greyish-brown above and white below, and a grey breast. A broad white stripe is apparent on the underwing. The iris is brown. Most readily mistaken for the similar and more common Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica. Distinguishing features of the Black-tailed Godwit include the black tail in flight; longer, more pink, non-upturned bill; and non-streaked breast. Grey to rufous-chestnut coloured breeding plumage may be visible in some Australian birds just after arrival in spring, or prior to departure in autumn, and in some over-wintering birds.

Adults have blue-grey legs and a very long straight bill with a slight upward curve and pink at the base. The neck, breast and belly are brick red in breeding plumage, off white in winter. The back is mottled grey.

Habitat:

Breeds in water-meadows, marshes and rough pasture. Winters on muddy estuaries. Usually found in sheltered bays, estuaries and lagoons with large intertidal mudflats and/or sandflats. Primarily a coastal species. Further inland, it can also be found on mudflats and in water less than 10 cm deep, around muddy lakes and swamps. Individuals have been recorded in wet fields and sewerage treatment works. Roosts and loafs on low banks of mud, sand and shell bars. Frequently recorded in mixed flocks with Bar-tailed Godwits.

Diet:

Forages for insects, crustaceans, molluscs, worms, larvae, spiders, fish eggs, frog eggs and tadpoles in soft mud or shallow water.

Behavior:

These birds forage by probing on mudflats or in marshes. In short vegetation, they may pick up insects by sight. They mainly eat insects and crustaceans, but also eat parts of aquatic plants. They are much more likely to be found on freshwater than the coastal Bar-tailed Godwit. In flight, they can be distinguished from the Hudsonian Godwit by their white wing linings with black edges.

Breeding :

Their breeding habitat is temperate wetlands in Europe and Asia on open grassland. They nest on the ground, usually in short vegetation, laying 3-6 eggs.