Birds of the Bay: A Tail of Two Wits (Godwits)
by Bob Shanman This is a story of four bird “cousins” (well, really, only two), who rarely, if ever cross paths. One summer in central Europe to Western Asia, and winters far to the south in Africa and southern Australia. One summer in the high arctic from western Alaska to Greenland, and winters as far south as the southern coasts of Chile and Argentina. One summer from central Alberta to South Dakota and winters along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts south into Central America. The last summers on the high arctic coasts of Russia and western Alaska. These birds winter on coasts as far south as the tip of Argentina and coasts of lands bordering the Indo-Pacific region. But one race in this group is very special. The birds are the four godwits of the world (genus Limosa). The first is the Black-tailed Godwit, which has never been seen in California (the remaining three have). The second is the Hudsonian Godwit, on our coast. The third is the Marbled Godwit, a regular winter resident on our coast. The last is the Bar-tailed Godwit. It is the Alaskan population of this bird that is unique among migratory birds. The godwits are large sandpipers, which are included in a larger…
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