Birds Around Me 0133 - Black-tailed Godwit कालीदुम गुदेरा, गैरीया, जंगरल (Limosa limosa)

Black-tailed Godwit कालीदुम गुदेरा, गैरीया, जंगरल (Limosa limosa)
Iceland, July 2025

The Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), known in Hindi as लालदुम गुदेरा, is a remarkable migratory wader celebrated for its record-breaking long-distance flights. Closely related to the Black-tailed Godwit, this species is distinguished by its reddish plumage and barred tail, which give it its name.

Black-tailed Godwit कालीदुम गुदेरा, गैरीया, जंगरल (Limosa limosa)
Iceland, July 2025

The Bar-tailed Godwit is a large, long-legged wader measuring about 37–41 cm in length. It has a long, slightly upturned bill, pinkish at the base and dark at the tip. In flight, the bird shows a barred tail and white rump, setting it apart from the Black-tailed Godwit.

Breeding plumage: Males are striking with rich reddish underparts, while females are paler.
Non-breeding plumage: Upperparts turn grey-brown, with a plain breast and belly, but the barred tail remains a key feature.

The Bar-tailed Godwit breeds in the Arctic tundra of Scandinavia, Siberia, and Alaska. During migration, it undertakes one of the longest nonstop flights of any bird, traveling thousands of kilometers to wintering grounds in Africa, South Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. In India, it is a regular winter visitor to coastal mudflats, estuaries, and lagoons.

Black-tailed Godwit कालीदुम गुदेरा, गैरीया, जंगरल (Limosa limosa)
Iceland, July 2025

This godwit feeds by probing mud and shallow water with its long bill, searching for worms, mollusks, and crustaceans. It is highly social, often seen in large flocks during migration and winter. Its endurance in flight is legendary—some individuals have been tracked flying over 11,000 km nonstop from Alaska to New Zealand.

Black-tailed Godwit कालीदुम गुदेरा, गैरीया, जंगरल (Limosa limosa)
Iceland, July 2025

The Bar-tailed Godwit is a marvel of endurance and elegance. Its epic migrations and striking plumage make it one of the most inspiring waders in the world, reminding us of the wonders of avian travel across continents.

Hindi name of Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa): कालीदुम गुदेरा, गैरीया, जंगरल

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-- Ashutosh Jhureley @BirdsAroundMe