Huntify
AtlasHelp
EnglishNorskSvenskaDanskSuomiDeutschFrançaisNederlandsEspañolItalianoPolski

Black-tailed godwit

Scientific name: Limosa limosa

Field notes

Appearance

Large wading bird with long straight bill, long legs, and distinctive barred tail. Breeding plumage shows rufous head and neck with white belly; non-breeding birds are grey-brown above and white below. Sexual dimorphism slight; females slightly larger and longer-billed.

Size and weight

Males 370–450 g, females 400–500 g; body length 37–42 cm with bill adding 8–10 cm.

Habitat

Black-tailed godwits inhabit open wetlands, marshes, wet meadows, and grasslands with shallow water or mud. They favour low-lying areas from sea level to moderate elevations, preferring habitats with minimal tree cover.

Distribution

Breeds across northern Europe and temperate Asia; winters in Africa, southern Europe, and southern Asia. Within range, strictly tied to wetland complexes and flood plains.

Diet

Probes soft mud and shallow water for invertebrates including worms, insect larvae, and crustaceans; also takes small fish and occasional vegetation.

Behaviour

Diurnal and crepuscular feeder, most active at dawn, dusk, and during low-tide periods. Highly gregarious outside breeding season, forming flocks of tens to hundreds; pairs during breeding. Strong migrants covering continental distances.

Hunting tips

Look for flocks in open marsh and grassland; birds are highly visible in exposed habitat. Approach is extremely difficult due to wariness and open terrain—exploit low light periods and use natural cover (dykes, vegetation edges). Ground stalking requires crawling and extremely slow movement to within effective range; decoying can concentrate birds at closer distances. Most productive when birds are feeding on exposed mud flats at low tide.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.

Names in other languages

Current language: en

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.