Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponica
NativeStatus
Fairly CommonRarity
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Species Description
The Bar-tailed Godwit (*Limosa lapponica*) is a large, long-distance migratory shorebird famous for making the longest non-stop flight of any land bird, traveling directly between Alaska and Australasia across the Pacific Ocean. This species is a regular sight along coastal mudflats and estuaries, where it spends the non-breeding season before returning to Arctic breeding grounds each year.
Fun Facts
Bar-tailed Godwits hold the world record for the longest non-stop flight by a land bird, with individuals tracked flying over 13, km from Alaska to Australasia in a single journey.
1. Long, slightly upturned bill with a pink base and dark tip.
2. Males show rich brick-red underparts in breeding season; females and juveniles are paler and more streaked.
3. Distinctive barred tail and white rump visible in flight, lacking strong wing bars
Bar-tailed Godwits are found along the coasts of Australia, New Zealand, and much of Eurasia during the non-breeding season. They favour large intertidal mudflats, estuaries, and sheltered bays, where they can be seen feeding in groups, especially at low tide. In Australia, they are most abundant from September to April, with some individuals overwintering. Their migration routes are highly predictable, and many birds return to the same feeding sites each year.
Physical Attributes
Height
41 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds80%
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