Hudsonian Godwit Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesHudsonian Godwit
Breeding adult
Large shorebird with a long slightly upturned bicolored bill. Breeding birds have a rusty belly and a dark brown mottled back.
© Andy Bankert / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 04, 2020Juvenile
Large shorebird with a long upswept bill. Juveniles have a white eyebrow and a plain buffy gray belly.
© Dorian Anderson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 18, 2019Breeding adult
Although Hudsonian Godwits nest on the ground and typically forage on the ground, they often perch in trees on the breeding grounds where wet sedge meadows intermix with spruce forests.
© Eric Liner / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, July 03, 2007Not all videos have sound
Nonbreeding adult
In flight the white rump patch and dark underwings are visible.
© David M. Bell / Macaulay LibraryGalápagos, November 19, 2019Breeding adult
In flight, note dark underwings and white rump patch.
© Marky Mutchler / Macaulay LibraryMissouri, April 16, 2020Juvenile (with Black-bellied Plover)
Most frequently seen singly or in small groups often feeding with other shorebirds during migration. Juveniles have an unmarked dusky belly.
© Jason Ransom / Macaulay LibraryWashington, August 19, 2017Similar SpeciesMarbled Godwit
Breeding adult
Marbled Godwits are larger and browner overall than Hudsonian Godwits. Breeding Marbled Godwits have barred underparts and do not have a rusty belly like Hudsonian Godwits.
© Jeff Timmons / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, June 22, 2017Similar SpeciesMarbled Godwit
Nonbreeding/immature
Nonbreeding Marbled Godwits have cinnamon washed underparts and barring on the back while nonbreeding Hudsonian Godwits are plain gray above and below.
© Frank Lehman / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, September 02, 2016Similar SpeciesBar-tailed Godwit
Breeding adult
Bar-tailed Godwits have a rusty-colored neck whereas Hudsonian Godwits have a gray neck.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryFinnmark, June 14, 2015Similar SpeciesBar-tailed Godwit
Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding Bar-tailed Godwits have streaked backs whereas Hudsonian Godwits have unstreaked gray backs.
© Peter Taylor / Macaulay LibraryQueensland, December 27, 2016Similar SpeciesBlack-tailed Godwit
Breeding adult
The rare Black-tailed Godwit has a rusty-colored neck whereas Hudsonian Godwit has a gray neck.
© Paul Tavares / Macaulay LibrarySuðurland, July 06, 2011Similar SpeciesBlack-tailed Godwit
Nonbreeding adult
The rare nonbreeding Black-tailed Godwit has white underwings whereas the Hudsonian Godwit has dark underwings.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryOromia, December 28, 2014Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Sandpipers and Allies(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Scolopacidae)
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