An elegant, Arctic-breeding shorebird, the Hudsonian Godwit uses its long beak to search for invertebrates hidden deep in the mud. It is an accomplished long-distance migrant, flying between northern Canada and southern South America with only a handful of stops along the way.
Hudsonian Godwit
Limosa haemastica
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Hudsonian Godwit
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Large Decrease
Confidence: Low
Goal
Below Goal Range
The Hudsonian Godwit breeds in two regions in Canada: the western Low Arctic and the coasts of Hudson and James Bay. Hudsonian Godwit is a long-distance migrant, spending its nonbreeding season on the coasts of southern South America. There are approximately 41,000 breeding in Canada, representing 53% of the global population and a high degree of Canadian responsibility. The remainder breed in Alaska and migrate through Canada, boosting Canada's responsibility to very high. The population has shown a large decrease relative to 1970, although confidence is low because only a small proportion of the population is sampled and precision in the trend is moderate. The species was assessed as Threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada in 2019 (COSEWIC, 2019), and is being considered for listing under the Species at Risk Act. The national population of Hudsonian Godwit is below its goal range.
Migration Strategy
Long-distance
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
41,000
Annual
77,000
Global
77,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Shorebirds
Long-Distance Migrants
Arctic Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Hudsonian Godwit. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/8n78-xf95
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
An elegant, Arctic-breeding shorebird, the Hudsonian Godwit uses its long beak to search for invertebrates hidden deep in the mud. It is an accomplished long-distance migrant, flying between northern Canada and southern South America with only a handful of stops along the way.
Distribution and Occurrence
4600
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Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring
eBird
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Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Shorebirds
Long-Distance Migrants
Arctic Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Hudsonian Godwit. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/8n78-xf95