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Black-/Bar-tailed godwit, Anglesey (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter marnixR
- Start date
Alexander Stöhr
Well-known member
Hello marnix,
your pictures seems to show more than one bird. All show some barring on the tail, so they are Bar-tailed Godwits. No offense, sorry
The fourth picture shows the right short legs, that look to short for a wader of this size
your pictures seems to show more than one bird. All show some barring on the tail, so they are Bar-tailed Godwits. No offense, sorry
The fourth picture shows the right short legs, that look to short for a wader of this size
marnixR
WYSIWYG
no offense taken
i was under the impression that i observed just the one bird, however, i didn't keep it under observation at all times, and it's possible that a second bird entered the picture without me noticing - i had just assumed that the different colour pattern might be due to different light conditons
i was under the impression that i observed just the one bird, however, i didn't keep it under observation at all times, and it's possible that a second bird entered the picture without me noticing - i had just assumed that the different colour pattern might be due to different light conditons
RafaelMatias
Unknown member
The one on pic #1 is a juv: plumage all of the same generation and with an internal pattern to the individual feathers that recalls that of Whimbrel.
Deb Burhinus
Used to be well known! 😎
As well as the barred tails that have been pointed out above which makes identification easy in this case, while obviously a diagnostic feature, this isn’t always visible in the field.
So, note the upturned bill (Black-tailed is straight) and in winter, the upperparts plumage of Black-tailed Godwit is a plainer grey, Bar-tailed upperparts give the impression of being patterned (with dark streaks through the feathers) with 1w showing uniform plumage (#1). In flight, the longer legs of Black-tailed clearly extend beyond tail, the wings of Black-tailed also show an obvious white bar with the white rump patch being squared off by a black patch on the lower back not present on Bar-tailed. When feeding on mudflats, Bar-tailed tend not to raise their heads as much as Black-tailed, feeding and foraging with head kept mostly down while walking.
So, note the upturned bill (Black-tailed is straight) and in winter, the upperparts plumage of Black-tailed Godwit is a plainer grey, Bar-tailed upperparts give the impression of being patterned (with dark streaks through the feathers) with 1w showing uniform plumage (#1). In flight, the longer legs of Black-tailed clearly extend beyond tail, the wings of Black-tailed also show an obvious white bar with the white rump patch being squared off by a black patch on the lower back not present on Bar-tailed. When feeding on mudflats, Bar-tailed tend not to raise their heads as much as Black-tailed, feeding and foraging with head kept mostly down while walking.
