Godwit

/ɡˈɒdwɪt/

/ɡˈɑːdwɪt/

[noun]

Godwit

[NOUN]

a long-billed, migratory shorebird species found in temperate and cold regions of the world

What is a "godwit"?

A godwit is a fascinating shorebird known for its long, slender bill and remarkable migratory abilities. With its distinctive appearance, the godwit stands out among other wading birds. It has a sleek body, long legs, and a slender, slightly upturned bill that allows it to probe deep into the mud or sand in search of food. Godwits have a unique migration pattern, with some individuals traveling thousands of miles nonstop between their breeding grounds in the Arctic and their wintering areas in more temperate regions. During the breeding season, they display intricate courtship rituals, including aerial displays and vocalizations. These birds are often found in coastal areas, mudflats, and wetlands, where they forage for small invertebrates such as worms, insects, and crustaceans.

Examples

1. Satellite tracking revealed details of some remarkable migrations, like the bar-tailed godwit's annual flight from Alaska to New Zealand, during which the bird covers 11,000 km in about eight days without a single stop.

2. For example, a bird called the bar-tailed godwit migrates from its breeding grounds in the Arctic.

3. For example, bar-tailed godwits, which are a pigeon-sized shorebird with a long, skinny ice pick bill.

4. For instance, scientists have found that the Icelandic black-tailed godwits have started migrating 2 weeks earlier than normal to escape the summer heat.