Nunivak Bar-tailed Godwit  |  

The bar-tailed godwit (western Alaskan) is a large migratory shorebird. It has a length around 37-39 cm, a wingspan of 62-75 cm and body mass between 250 – 450 g. It has a long neck with a very long upturned bill which is characterized by a dark tip and pinkish base. All non-breeding plumages have a uniform upper pattern, with a dark back and upper rump. It is distinguishable from other godwits by the dark barring on the lower white rump, upper-tail and lining of the underwing. The sexes differ with females being larger and with longer bills than males and having a duller breeding plumage. Males and females exhibit marked variation in plumages with males having a deep rufous head and neck. Juveniles are similar to non-breeding adults with the exception that the crown is more heavily streaked. The two subspecies in the East Asian – Australasian Flyway (EAAF), L. l. baueri and L. l. menzbieri, are distinguishable morphologically in the field. The bar-tailed godwit (western Alaskan) is slightly larger and stockier than the similar blacktailed godwit, L. limosa, with a shorter neck and legs, a steeper forehead, and a more upturned and pointed bill.