Hudsonian Godwit (Ivvavik National Park)

Hudsonian Godwit

Limosa haemastica

Rare to Ivvavik ⁴

This species is rare to Ivvavik National Park. If you see this species and manage to take a photo, please upload it to iNaturalist and/or send it to us directly at yukoncdc@gov.yk.ca. You will be helping us expand the scientific knowledge of this bird.

Morphology ⁴

The smallest godwit in Canada (39.4cm/15.5in), it is mostly grey when nonbreeding but morphs to have a brown/rufus belly and darker back when breeding. Both morphs have a black underwing and end of tail that can be seen when in flight.

Sibley, D. A. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds, Andrew Steward Publishing Inc., United States.

Habitat ⁵

BREEDING: Nests on grassy tundra, near water. Bogs and marshes. Near coast or river. Nests on the ground in a sparsely lined depression, in or under edge of prostrate dwarf birch or on dry top of hummock in sedge marsh. NON-BREEDING: marshes, beaches, flooded fields, and tidal mudflats (AOU 1983); lake and pond shores, inlets.

Reproduction ⁶

Breeding begins mid-May in west to early June in east (Harrison 1978). Usually 4 eggs are incubated for 22-23 days; eggs incubated by female during day, by male at night. Young precocial, tended by both parents until just before fledging (early August on Mackenzie Delta).

Trophic strategy ⁷

Feeds on marine worms, mollusks, and crustaceans. Probes deeply into mud. During the nesting season eats many insects (e.g., flies, mosquitoes).

Sources and Credits

More Info

Range Map

iNaturalist.ca Map

Color	brown, grey, white
Bird	waders
Animal	Bird

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