Scientific name: Limosa lapponica (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Waders
Field characters. 33-42 cm. Resembles Black-tailed Godwit in shape, with long black legs and long bill; however, bill slightly upturned, legs shorter and body heavier. Male in summer plumage has dark rufous underparts, black-blotched upperparts, and streaked crown. Female similar but much paler, more pinkish and often with whitish belly; larger and longer billed than male. In winter both sexes grey with black streaks above and white below. In all plumages, white rump extends in wedge onto back, tail barred with black and white lines, and wing bar absent. Juvenile buff (not rufous) on underparts, breast lightly streaked; upperparts with Stone-curlew-like markings. In flight resembles Whimbrel rather than Black-tailed Godwit in same plumage. Often in huge flocks on tidal mudflats, sometimes also on sandy coasts. Rare inland.
Voice. Call resembling Red Knot, nasal 'wèèp' or 'kurruk'. Song 'kuuklee kuuklee' and 'keekeekuu'.
Distribution. Uncommon breeding bird. Common on migration.
Habitat. Breeds in arctic treeless tundra. Outside breeding season prefers salt marshes and tidal mudflats above fresh water.
Food. Invertebrates, which are caught by probing in sand or mud. During breeding season also insects and some vegetable matter.