Godwit, Bar-tailed

Conservation status:

Passage Migrant and Winter Visitor

Description:

Resembles Black-tailed (which see) especially on ground in non-breeding plumage, bur note more compact, less erect appearance with shorter legs and neck, and slightly upturned bill. In flight, easily separated in all plumages by lack of distinct wing and tail markings typical of Black-tailed. Male in breeding plumage has deep rusty red head and entire underparts; larger female is buffish or faintly rusty, lacking breast- or belly-bars of Black-tailed. Non-breeding/winter plumage buffish grey with dark shaft-streaks above and on breast (almost uniform grey in Black-tailed). Juvenile similar but more buffish with darker upperparts lacking shaft-streaks and breast markings. In flight resembles Whimbrel (which see) with almost similar flight pattern, but is smaller and more slender with faster wing-beats and straight bill.