ID: Greenshank or Bar Tailed Godwit??

[StuMack]

Hi all,

Have spent the day at Llanelli wetlands and am trying to identify this bird - looks like it could be a greenshank or maybe a bar tailed godwit? Help needed !!

Thanks in advance, Stu

[RobinP]

Both Godwits I think, Stu, not sure if bar or black tailed, I will leave that to the experts.

Robin

[Gatekeeper]

They're Black-tailed Godwits

[tcvarlh]

Black-Tailed - Long legs
Bar-Tailed have shorter stilts
h

[StuMack]

Thanks guys, that's three birds I can id now!

[captaincarot]

Originally Posted by tcvarlh

Black-Tailed - Long legs
Bar-Tailed have shorter stilts
h

plus bar tailed have bars on their tails, which these don't.

[tcvarlh]

Well yes, the clue is in the name


h

[captaincarot]

the 2 most diagnostic features of bar tailed are the beak which is slightly up turned and the tail which has white bars on it. this is probably why they spend their whole life with their head under one wing and facing you

[tcvarlh]

Exactly so, perverse critters!
h

[John B (NTS)]

The Greenshank's greenish bill would have been a bit of a give away in this case too....