Bar-tailed Godwit

Māori name: Kūaka

Scientific name: Limosa lapponica

Declining

The bar-tailed godwit is one of the most extraordinary birds on Earth and a beloved seasonal visitor to Pāuanui Beach. Every year, these remarkable birds fly non-stop from Alaska to New Zealand — a journey of up to 12,000 kilometres without landing. They arrive in September and October, exhausted and having lost half their body weight, and spend the summer feeding on the rich tidal flats to rebuild condition before returning north in March.

Did you know?

The bar-tailed godwit holds the world record for the longest non-stop flight of any bird — one individual flew 13,560 km from Alaska to New Zealand without stopping, taking 11 days.

Threats

Habitat loss at stopover and breeding sites in Asia and Alaska threatens godwit populations. Locally, disturbance on beaches during their feeding and resting periods can impact their ability to refuel before the return migration.

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