godwit

American  

[god-wit] / ˈgɒd wɪt /

noun

1. any of several large, widely distributed shorebirds of the genus Limosa, as the New World L. haemastica Hudsonian godwit, having a long bill that curves upward slightly.

---

godwit British  

/ ˈɡɒdwɪt /

noun

1. any large shore bird of the genus Limosa, of northern and arctic regions, having long legs and a long upturned bill: family Scolopacidae (sandpipers, etc), order Charadriiformes

---

Etymology

Origin of godwit

First recorded in 1545–55; of obscure origin

Example Sentences

A variety of species, including avocets, oyster catchers and black-tailed godwits, probe the mud for food and nest on the land between lagoons and streams.

From BBC

The Humber Estuary is a site of special scientific interest and along with Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve supports more than half a million birds annually including pink footed geese, puffins, avocets and bar-tailed godwits.

From BBC

Along the way, you may see marbled godwits, snowy egrets and other shorebirds.

From Los Angeles Times

Bar-tailed godwits fly from Alaska to New Zealand and Australia without stopping to eat, drink or rest.

From New York Times

The godwit’s epic flight — the longest nonstop migration of a land bird in the world — lasts from eight to 10 days and nights through pounding rain, high winds and other perils.

From New York Times