Black-tailed Godwit
Scientific Name: Limosa limosaMaltese Name: Girwiel Prim
Family: Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Occurence: Scarce
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Black-tailed Godwit is a large wading bird with a very long straight bill and long legs. It has an orange-red head, neck and chest in breeding plumage and dull grey-brown winter coloration. In flight it shows a white wing-stripe and a black and white tail. In water, the most common feeding method is to probe vigorously, up to 36 times per minute, and often with the head completed submerged. On land, Black-tailed Godwits probe into soft ground and also pick prey items from the surface. They eat mainly small invertebrates, but also aquatic plants in winter and on migration.
They are monogamous and establish life-long relationships which can last up to 25 years, despite, the fact that the winters are spent around 600 miles apart.
Status:
Scarce Wader. Generally singles are seen but is also seen in quite large migrating flocks. It was much more common in the past.
When to See:
February till April.
Where to See:
Some singles seen at Ghadira Nature Reserve. Some flocks seen flying when on migration in spring from the coast, especially from Cirkewwa.
Photographs:
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Black-tailed Godwit, Ghadira Nature Reserve, 20th March 2010 |
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| Black-tailed Godwit, Ghadira Nature Reserve, 16th July 2007. Summer Plumage. | Black-tailed Godwit, Ghadira Nature Reserve, 24th February 2007. Winter plumage. |
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