A large, elegant shorebird with a long, slightly upturned bill, seen on Florida’s beaches during migration and winter.
Known for its graceful probing behavior in sandy mudflats and shallow waters.
Size and color:
Large shorebird, 16–20 inches long with a wingspan of 28–36 inches.
Mottled brown upperparts, pale underparts, long slightly upturned bill with dark tip, and long blue-gray legs.
Seasonality in Florida:
Winter visitor along Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts; also seen during spring and fall migration.
Habitat:
Sandy and muddy coastal flats, estuaries, tidal marshes, and mudflats.
Often forages in flocks, probing for invertebrates.
Diet:
Feed primarily on worms, crustaceans, and small mollusks, which they locate by probing into wet sand or mud.
Behavior:
Often seen walking slowly along shorelines, probing with their bills in a rhythmic motion.
Very alert; flushes easily when approached.
Conservation notes:
Populations are generally stable, but habitat loss along coastal wetlands can reduce foraging areas.
Best time to see:
Winter and migration periods, especially along Gulf Coast estuaries and tidal flats.
Fun Fact:
Marbled Godwits are long-distance migrants, traveling thousands of miles between breeding grounds in the northern U.S. and wintering grounds along the Gulf and Caribbean.
