Thursday 11 February 2016

Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwit, a comparison




Two fairly common birds on the north Norfolk coast at this time of year are the Bar-tailed Godwit (photos above) and the Black-tailed Godwit (photos below). Superficially similar, in the fact that they both have long legs, long bills and are brown/grey, but are easily told apart, especially when seen together. The 'Barwit' is a smaller, more chunky looking bird, with shorter legs, an upturned bill and a distinct supercilium in its' winter plumage. The 'Blackwit' is a larger bird with an unfathomably long, straight bill, longer legs and a shorter, less distinct supercilium.




8 comments:

  1. Always a distinctive looking bird; I love it's name. I wonder what the origin is?

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    1. Useless information alert!...The word 'godwit' comes from the old English god, meaning good and wit from the word wihte, meaning creature. They you go, don't say that this blog doesn't teach you anything! ;)
      J

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    2. Oh good! Hope it was of some interest!
      J

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  2. I'm very familiar with Bar-tailed Godwits as they come to Australia from Siberia for their migration. Lovely birds!

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    1. Hi Liz! They are extreme migrants, I have read that they can cover a distance of over 11,000 km without stopping. Quite a feat!
      J

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    2. Indeed they can, John! I have a post ready to go this week for WBW about "Migratory Shore Birds" that states something very similar!

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    3. I will check that out Liz!
      J

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