Eastern bar-tailed godwit

The eastern bar-tailed godwit is a migrant shorebird that breeds in Alaska and spends the northern winter (our summer) in eastern Australia and New Zealand.

It is a tall wader, streaked brown above and on underwings, with pale breast and belly in non-breeding plumage. It has a long, slightly up-turned bill, which is pink at the base and black at the tip. In breeding plumage the bird is more colourful (see photo below left), a warmer, more richly-marked brown above and bright rufous on neck, breast and belly. Birds can be seen in both breeding and non-breeding plumages in New Zealand, and at all stages in between, but most of their time here is spent in non-breeding plumage.

Godwits are famous for their long-distance migrations, which can involve non-stop flights of thousands of kilometres. Their arrival in and departure from New Zealand has come to symbolise the passing of the seasons, and 'farewell' and 'welcome' ceremonies are held at some locations.

They feed on marine and terrestrial invertebrates, including worms, molluscs and crustaceans, probing in mud and soft ground with their long bills. For this reason they favour mudflats in estuaries and inlets as their winter habitat and tend to congregate around the New Zealand coast wherever such habitats occur. 

They are not normally seen around Tiritiri Matangi because the Island has none of their favoured habitat, but they can be seen at other locations around the Hauraki Gulf.

As a long-distance migrant, the bar-tailed godwit needs protection in several different countries - New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, and its refuelling sites in China and on some Pacific Islands. Only concerted international cooperation can ensure the safety of this bird throughout its range.

Discover more about the eastern bar-tailed godwit at New Zealand Birds Online.

Photographs: Martin Sanders ©

Reference: Heather, B. and Robertson, H., The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand, Viking 2005.