Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
The Black-tailed Godwit is a long-legged, long-billed wader.
Black-tailed Godwits
Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
The nominal subspecies breeds across Eurasia from Western Europe to Central Asia; other subspecies breed in Iceland/Faroes and in the Siberian Far East. All fly south to winter (those from Iceland winter in the UK while UK summer breeders fly to Africa).
Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit drinking straw
Bills are like long red-pink, black-tipped drinking straws. Legs, particularly above the joint ("knee") are visibly longer than its Bar-tailed relative.
Black-tailed Godwit in flight
Black-tailed Godwit in flight
Black-tailed Godwit in flight
Male and female breeding plumage is a red head, neck and chest. The non-breeding plumage is grey-brown.
Black-tailed Godwit in flight
Black-tailed Godwit in flight
Black-tailed Godwit
The similar Bar-tailed Godwit (Arctic breeder - not shown), has a shorter, slightly upturned, bill, no white wing bar, a more streaky back and, of course, a barred tail.
Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit with Avocet
They form large flocks when not breeding, often including other waders.
Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
His non-breeding plumage (above left in transition) is browner; hers (above centre) is greyer. Both much smoother and less spotted.
Black-tailed Godwit in flight
Black-tailed Godwit in flight
Black-tailed Godwit in flight
Black-tailed Godwits in flight