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Hudsonian Godwit

Status Uncommon transient. Fall migrant individuals and small flocks begin to arrive in July (average 18 July, earliest 1 July), and larger numbers occur in August and early September. Stragglers are fairly regular in October but very rare in November (average 8 October, latest 8 November). Birds on Sable Island on 6 June 1965 and at Sunday Point, Yarmouth County, on 2 June 1974 were far from their normal northward route through the Great Plains.

Description Length: 33-40 cm. All plumages: White uppertail coverts form a broad white band across base of tail. Adults in spring: Upperparts mottled dark brown and buff, with broad band of white across uppertail coverts; tail black, tipped narrowly with white; underparts rufous, narrowly barred with black and narrowly tipped with white; bill long, slender and slightly upcurved; legs and feet slaty blue. Immatures and adults in winter: Upperparts brownish gray; belly whitish gray; breast gray, tinged with buff.

Range Breeds iocally from the Mackenzie Valley eastward to western Hudson Bay. Winters in South America.

Remarks Recent studies of this bird during summer have revealed that it is still quite common in its breeding range. It has also been learned that in late July and early August large concentrations gather on the extensive mudflats bordering the west coast of James Bay. A few birds continue their migration through the Maritimes, but the main body, not showing up here or elsewhere in large numbers, is believed to take off from the James Bay concentration area on a direct transoceanic flight to a point in South America. This hypothesis would explain why the Hudsonian Godwit is not seen anywhere along its way southward in North America in numbers comparable to those known to breed in our northland.

This bird is one of our largest shorebirds. Its size, general dark colouring, long dark legs, conspicuous white rump patch, and slightly upturned bill readily distinguish it from all others.