Bar-tailed Godwit look-alikes

Key differences

The Black-tailed Godwit has a straighter bill, longer legs, and a prominent white wing-bar in flight. Its tail is entirely black, contrasting with a white rump, whereas the Bar-tailed Godwit has a white rump and a barred tail. In breeding plumage, the Black-tailed Godwit's rufous extends less onto the belly and is often more chestnut, with distinct barring on the flanks.

Key differences

The Marbled Godwit is larger, has a much longer, strongly upturned bill, and lacks the white rump and barred tail of the Bar-tailed Godwit. Its plumage is generally buffy-brown with heavy barring, and it has cinnamon wing linings visible in flight. Its range is primarily North American.

Key differences

The Hudsonian Godwit is similar in size but has a more slender, slightly upturned bill. In breeding plumage, it has rich chestnut underparts with heavy black barring, and a distinctive white wing-stripe (though less prominent than Black-tailed Godwit). Its rump is white, but the tail is black, not barred. Its breeding range is restricted to Arctic North America.