A magnificent member of the sandpiper family, stands out with its imposing stature, long legs, and distinctive long, straight beak. Renowned for its elegant appearance, it is often considered the most aesthetically pleasing among the four godwit species.
Breeding in both boreal and low arctic regions, the Black-tailed Godwit embarks on remarkable migratory journeys southward following the mating season. Across its range, which spans various continents, three distinct subspecies of the Black-tailed Godwit have been identified, each exhibiting similar distribution patterns.
Despite its striking beauty and remarkable migratory feats, the Black-tailed Godwit faces a myriad of threats that jeopardize its survival. Habitat loss and degradation in its breeding areas pose significant challenges, exacerbated by disturbances resulting from alterations to these critical habitats. Additionally, predation, hunting, pollution, and habitat fragmentation further compound the species’ vulnerability, placing it at risk of extinction.
As opportunistic feeders, Black-tailed Godwits exhibit a diverse diet comprising a wide array of invertebrates and plant matter. From insects and their larvae to annelids, mollusks, crustaceans, and marine worms, these birds display remarkable versatility in their foraging habits. Additionally, they opportunistically consume spiders, fish eggs, berries, and seeds, with rice being a prominent component of their diet in certain regions.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Benin
Bosnia And Herz.
Botswana
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
China
Comoros
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Denmark
Djibouti
East Timor
Egypt
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Guam
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Niger
Nigeria
Nort. Mariana Is.
North Korea
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Pierre
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
St. Kitts & Nevis
Sudan
Svalbard
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Trinidad & Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
UAE
US Virgin Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
