Bar-tailed godwit

Limosa lapponica

The bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) is a large and strongly migratory wader in the family Scolopacidae, which feeds on bristle-worms and shellfish on coastal mudflats and estuaries.

Family: Scolopacidae Order: Charadriiformes Conservation: Near Threatened

About the Bar-tailed godwit

The bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) is a large and strongly migratory wader in the family Scolopacidae, which feeds on bristle-worms and shellfish on coastal mudflats and estuaries. It has distinctive red breeding plumage, long legs, and a long upturned bill. Bar-tailed godwits breed on Arctic coasts and tundra from Scandinavia to Alaska, and overwinter on coasts in temperate and tropical regions of Australia and New Zealand. The migration of the subspecies Limosa lapponica baueri across the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to New Zealand is the longest known non-stop flight of any bird, and also the longest journey without pausing to feed by any animal. The round-trip migration for this subspecies is over 29,000 km (18,020 mi).

Fun Facts About Bar-tailed godwit

The round-trip migration for this subspecies is over 29,000 km (18,020 mi).
The bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) is a large and strongly migratory wader in the family Scolopacidae, which feeds on bristle-worms and shellfish on coastal mudflats and estuaries.
It has distinctive red breeding plumage, long legs, and a long upturned bill.
The migration of the subspecies Limosa lapponica baueri across the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to New Zealand is the longest known non-stop flight of any bird, and also the longest journey without pausing to feed by any animal.

Conservation Status

The Bar-tailed godwit is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. This species faces threats that could impact its population if conservation measures are not maintained.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Order	Charadriiformes
Family	Scolopacidae
Genus	Limosa
Species	Limosa lapponica

Range & Habitat