Hudsonian Godwit — Australian Bird Identification Guide | BetterBirding

Bird guideHudsonian Godwit

The smallest godwit, overall rather dark.

Spot this species Read on Wikipedia

⚠️Not listed

At a glance

FamilySandpipers and Allies

SizeSmall

RarityUncommon

HabitatIn migration, found in flooded fields, beaches, mudflats, and shallow marshy pools, sometimes in mixed flocks with Willet or yellowlegs.

Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from September.

Sounds

Sound sample

0:000:00

Recorded by Avery Bartels

Range map

Range map

Occurrence window

25visible hotspots

945visible records

4states

Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Long upturned bill, red at the base with a black tip. Breeding male shows rich rufous belly and messy black, gray, and white pattern on back. Female duller. Nonbreeding birds are overall plain gray, but juveniles have more cinnamon tones. Note white eyebrow in all plumages. Most distinctive field mark is black underwing, only seen in flight. In migration, found in flooded fields, beaches, mudflats, and shallow marshy pools, sometimes in mixed flocks with Willet or yellowlegs.

Behavior

Breeds on grassy tundra in Canada and Alaska, winters in southern South America.

Gallery

Regional timing

Victoria

Peak: January286 records

Western Australia

Peak: February50 records

Queensland

Peak: May to June221 records

New South Wales

Peak: September348 records

South Australia

Peak: March60 records

Tasmania

Peak: January80 records

Commonly confused with

Little StintCalidris minutaAll ages show dark legs and a straight, fine-tipped bill. Adults in breeding plumage are variably flushed with bright rusty orange on the head, neck sides, and upperparts, usually brightest in mid- to late-summer.→Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusNote thin, sharp bill. Breeding females are brighter and more contrasting than males: note white throat, reddish stripe on neck, and buffy stripes on back. Breeding males are duller, especially on head and neck. Nonbreeding is much less colorful: gray above and white below with streaky-looking back and black ear patch. Juveniles have blackish upperparts with buffy stripes, and a black ear patch. Breeds on Arctic tundra. Primarily found on the open ocean during migration and winter; also occurs on lakes, especially in western North America. In migration mixes with Wilson’s Phalarope on inland lakes; Red-necked is smaller, more compact, and shorter-billed. On the ocean, frequently mixes with Red Phalarope, the only other oceanic shorebird; Red-necked is best distinguished by smaller size, thinner bill, and slightly darker, streakier-looking upperparts.→Long-toed StintCalidris subminutaUnlike most other small sandpipers in the region, this species has a distinctly long-winged and slender-bodied appearance. Note that long toes project slightly beyond tail in flight, unlike other stints. Flight call a quiet “prrrrp” similar to Curlew Sandpiper.→