Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa
The black-tailed godwit is a large, long-legged, long-billed shorebird first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is a member of the godwit genus, Limosa.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-tailed_godwit
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Charadriiformes
Family
Scolopacidae
Genus
Limosa
Black-tailed Godwit belongs to the family Scolopacidae, order Charadriiformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The black-tailed godwit is a large, long-legged, long-billed shorebird first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is a member of the godwit genus, Limosa. There are four subspecies, all with orange head, neck and chest in breeding plumage and dull grey-brown winter coloration, and distinctive black and white wingbar at all times.
The Black-tailed Godwit faces significant population declines across much of its range due to widespread habitat loss and degradation of wetland ecosystems. Agricultural intensification has eliminated crucial breeding and feeding areas, while climate change alters the timing and availability of food resources during migration and breeding seasons.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Breeds in wet grasslands, meadows, and agricultural fields with short vegetation near water bodies. During migration and winter, occupies coastal mudflats, estuaries, saltmarshes, and inland wetlands including rice fields and shallow freshwater lakes.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and conversion of grasslands
Wetland drainage and habitat loss
Climate change affecting migration timing and food availability
Disturbance at roosting and feeding sites
Predation pressure from introduced species
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| NP | NTNear Threatened | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| AU | ENEndangered | VUVulnerable | Higher local risk |
| AU | ENEndangered | VUVulnerable | Higher local risk |
| EU | NTNear Threatened | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | NTNear Threatened | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/black-tailed-godwit