What is Bar-Tailed Godwit?

About Bar-Tailed Godwit:

• It is a remarkable migratory shore bird renowned for its extraordinary endurance during migration.
• Scientific Name: Limosa lapponica
• Distribution:
  • The bar-tailed godwit species is distributed in northern Europe and Asia, western Alaska, Africa, the Persian Gulf, India, southeast Asia, China, and Australia.
  • These godwit species breed in the Arctic region. 
  • In India, wintering bar-tailed godwit species are distributed in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Tripura, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Bar-tailed Godwits are the world record holders for non-stop flight: they have been recorded travelling 13,500 km from Alaska to Tasmania in only 11 days flying at an average of more than 50 km/h, losing almost half of their body weight along the way. 
• Features:
  • They are quite large waders, with females being bigger than males. 
  • It is mainly mottled brown above and lighter and more uniform buff below.
  • It has dull white underwings and a long, slightly upturned bill.
  • As the name suggests, the white tail is barred with brown. 
• IUCN Red List: Near Threatened 

Q1: Where is Pulicat Lake located?

Pulicat Lake is the second-largest brackish water lake in India, located on the east coast of the country. It spans the borders of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, playing a crucial ecological and economic role for the region.

News: Rare sighting at Pulicat: 5 bar-tailed godwits together