General

Hudsonian Godwit: Large sandpiper with white-scaled, brown-black upperparts and black-barred chestnut-brown underparts. Bill is long, slightly upcurved and pink with black tip. White rump, white wing-bar, and black underwings are visible in flight. Female is duller. Juvenile lacks chestnut-brown tones and has plain, buff-gray underparts.

Range and Habitat

Hudsonian Godwit: Nests on mixed tundra/wetlands in northern Canada and Alaska. Migrates south off the Atlantic coast to South America for the winter. Preferred habitats include muddy, sandy, or rocky shores, freshwater marshes, mudflats, and flooded fields.

Breeding and Nesting

Hudsonian Godwit: Three to four olive buff to olive brown eggs marked with olive brown are laid in a shallow hollow on the ground, lined with dead leaves and fresh grass, and hidden under marsh grass or a shrub. Both parents (female during the day and male at night) incubate the eggs for 22 to 25 days. Young fly at 30 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Hudsonian Godwit: Feeds mostly on insects; also eats crustaceans, mollusks, and marine worms.

Vocalization

Hudsonian Godwit: Utters high-pitched "kae-wit."

Similar Species

Hudsonian Godwit: Marbled Godwit is richer brown with cinnamon-brown underwings and heavily barred breast.