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PLATE 41: DOWITCHERS AND GODWITS
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus pm, wv
L: 28. W: 49. Plumage and structure resemble small Bar-tailed Godwit with straight, snipe-like
bill, slightly drooping at tip; legs pale olive-green. In breeding plumage underparts orange-red,
densely barred or spotted blackish; upperparts brown, narrowly fringed rufous. Non-breeding/first-
winter has pale grey underparts with darker neck and breast and slightly barred flanks and undertail-
coverts. In all plumages distinctive pale supercilium contrasts with black lores and dark crown.
In flight has narrow white oval on back and narrow white trailing edge to secondaries. When
flushed, rises fast, snipe-like, but with slower wingbeats. Voice Sharp, clear, sometimes repeated,
keek, slightly reminiscent of Oystercatcher. Habitat Muddy freshwater pools. Note Vagrant Oman.Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus V
L: 35. Easily confused with Bar-tailed Godwit, with which it may associate. Told by smaller size and
straight, all-black bill, slightly swollen at tip (Bar-tailed noticeably pink-based, pointed and slightly
upturned), and held more angled below horizontal (about 30°; only 10–15° below in Bar-tailed).
Feeding action with continuous vertical ‘sewing-machine’ probing. Summer plumage similar to
Bar-tailed, but note whitish ventral region and white flanks, barred greyish and chestnut (Bar-
tailed lacks darker-barred flanks, males having wholly rusty-red underparts). In grey-and-white
winter plumage has slightly mottled grey-brown breast, obscurely barred flanks, and bolder eye-
stripe than Bar-tailed; in juvenile plumage, neck and breast have stronger buff wash than juvenile
Bar-tailed. In flight, white rump is barred dark, contrasting only slightly with back and tail, unlike
Bar-tailed. See also Long-billed Dowitcher. Voice Yelping chep-chep or chowp; also aow, recalling
distant human cry. Habitat Mudflats, sandbanks. Note Vagrant Oman, Yemen.Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa PM, WV
L: 42. W: 77. Large with long bill and legs. Similar to Bar-tailed Godwit, but slightly larger and
more erect due to longer legs and neck; bill slightly longer and straighter and totally different
upperwing pattern (also visible from below). In summer plumage, both sexes have varying amount
of rusty-orange on head, neck and fore-body with diffuse, dark bars on lower breast, fore-
belly and flanks. Female duller, sometimes predominantly greyish. Non-breeding plumage uniform
grey, washed ochre on neck and breast in juvenile, and with pink-based bill. In all plumages easily
distinguished in flight by broad, white wing-bar, white tail with black terminal band and trailing
legs and feet. Often in flocks, including when feeding. Voice All calls rather nasal and scolding;
alarm call titi-teev or, from more excited birds, wicka-wicka-wicka. Habitat Muddy freshwater
margins, grassland, marshes, estuaries, tidal creeks. Note Passage and winter hatched, some
oversummer in Arabia.Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica PM, WV
L: 38. W: 75. Resembles Black-tailed Godwit, especially on ground in non-breeding plumage, but
note more compact, less erect appearance with shorter legs and neck, and slightly upturned bill.
Easily separated from Black-tailed in flight by lack of obvious wing-bar (and resembling Whimbrel).
In breeding plumage has deep rusty-red head and entire underparts; larger female is buffish or
faintly rusty, lacking breast- or belly-bars of Black-tailed Godwit. Non-breeding/winter plumage
buffish-grey with dark shaft-streaks above and on breast (almost uniform smooth grey in Black-
tailed). Juvenile similar but more buffish with darker upperparts lacking shaft-streaks and breast
markings. Gregarious at roosts but does not feed in flocks. Voice In flight, or when flushed, soft, low-
pitched, nasal beb-beb, or sharper ke-kek. Often silent. Habitat Mudflats, sandy beaches, estuaries.
Note Passage and winter hatched; many oversummer on coasts.