Marbled godwits, Limosa fedoa are huge migratory shorebirds belonging to the Scolopacidae family. It is the largest of the four godwit species on average. The marbled godwit is a big shorebird that breeds in the northern United States and southern Canada’s prairie pothole region. They make the longest continuous migrations of any bird and carry the highest fat loads of any migrating bird investigated thus far, diminishing the size of their digestive organs in the process.
Quick Overview: Limosa Fedoa – Marbled Godwits
Body size: Around 18-19 in (46-48 cm) and a weight of 365 g (12.87 oz)
Main colors: Pink, Black, Blue-Gray, Brown
Range: Western United States
Migratory Bird: Yes
Best time of the year to see in the U.S.: March, April, May, September, October, November
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Marbled godwits Description
Marbled godwits have a long, slightly raised creamy pink bill with a black tip, long bluish-gray legs, a rich buff-brown coloration throughout, cinnamon wing linings, and a cinnamon stripe across the wing and chest. In winter, the chest is buffy and simple.
Size
These birds have a length of 18-19 in (46-48 cm) and a weight of 365 g (12.87 oz). Their wings could range from 31-32 in (79-81 cm).
Feeding
Marbled Godwits feed on polychaetes, tiny bivalves, crabs, and earthworms throughout the winter. Their diet changes to insects, leeches, and tiny fish on mating grounds.
Habitat
The marbled godwit is the most common godwit species. They breed on grasslands and marshes throughout the northern prairies of the United States and Canada, preferring areas with sparse or tall vegetation. Additionally, they are found in temporary ponds, pastures, and hay fields. Northern populations inhabit moist tundra or open taiga, lowland meadows and bogs, and coastal marshes.
Behavior
Marbled godwits are primarily terrestrial birds with the ability to run and walk quickly. They are migratory, with a robust, quick, and direct flight path. They can also swim if they are foraging in deep water. Foraging consumes the majority of their daily time budget. Aggressive behavior is uncommon and is frequently linked to breeding season.
Limosa Fedoa Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Charadriiformes
- Family: Scolopacidae
- Genus: Limosa
- Species: Limosa fedoa
Best time of the year to see
In the United States, the best time of year to see these birds are during the Spring season (March-May) and during the Autumn season (September – November).
Distribution of the Marbled godwits in the USA
Breeds in Alberta and Minnesota‘s northern central plains. Winters along the coast between California and Virginia as well as along the Gulf coast.
The Marbled godwits can be found in the following states in the United States – Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
