BIRDS OF ICELAND black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa

Limosa limosa;  black-tailed godwits are also rather large waders, in size comparable to the whimbrels. In contrast to curlews and whimbrels their beaks are (slightly) upward bent. Also characteristic during the breeding season are the red neck and breast. Their habitat resembles that of the whimbrels: wet moorlands and moist meadows. During the winter they migrate to northern Africa and southern Europe. A vagrant relative can be found during the migration season on mud flats along the coasts of Iceland, being the bar-tailed godwit. It differs in the tail end (names!) and the black-tailed having white linings on top of their wings. Also in spring/summer, the bar-tailed have completely red underparts not restricted to neck and breast.

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