In fall, most fly nonstop from James Bay, Canada, to South America. Marbled Godwits. Marbled Godwit - Marbled Godwits share the same body shape and structure as Hudsonian Godwits, but are noticeably larger if both species are seen together. Once thought to be very rare, even endangered, this big sandpiper was probably just overlooked on its long migration between the Arctic and southern South America. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in both size and plumage, with females larger and heavier than males and paler overall in breeding plumage. Young fly at 30 days. Hudsonian Godwit is a large, long-legged shorebird with a long, slightly upturned bill. A Marbled Godwit for comparison - non-breeding plumage (breeding plumage consists of a more streaked breast and underpants: Had the bird been observed in flight, the discussion would be over in a heart beat - dark underwing and white rump patch makes it a Hudsonian. Both parents (female during the day and male at night) incubate the eggs for 22 to 25 days. Brad M. Walker, Nathan R. Senner, Chris S. Elphick, and Joanna Klima Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020 Text last updated October 21, 2011 Marbled Godwits are smaller than the Curlews and have a long, slightly upturned bill. Large flocks roost together in the salt meadows at high tide, or stand together in shallow water above the flats, probing deeply in the mud with their long bills. Godwits are roughly 16 - 19 inches in length and have similar coloring to the Curlews, in fact you often find them feeding in the same close areas. This how Wikipedia describes the Hudsonian Godwit…. In spring it moves north across the Great Plains, pausing at marshes and flooded fields more often than at the mudflats thronged by other shorebirds. This big cinnamon-colored sandpiper inhabits the northern Great Plains in summer. Hudsonian Godwit: Three to four olive buff to olive brown eggs marked with olive brown are laid in a shallow hollow on the ground, lined with dead leaves and fresh grass, and hidden under marsh grass or a shrub. When it leaves the prairies, the Marbled Godwit goes to coastal regions and becomes quite gregarious. Foraging and Feeding Males have distinctive red chest colouring during the breeding season, while females are a lighter rufous colour. Hudsonian Godwit (with Marbled Godwit) at Hatfield Marine Science Center, photo by Stephen Holzman The Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica) is a large shorebird in the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae.The genus name Limosa is from Latin and means “muddy”, from limus, “mud”.The specific haemastica is from Ancient Greek and means “bloody”.An 18th century name for this bird was red-breasted godwit. The Marbled Godwit's bill has pink at the base.