Large wader with long legs, neck and bill. In flight easily separated from Bar-tailed Godwit by black tail with white rump and bold white wing-bar. During the breeding season, the bill has a yellowish or orange-pink base and dark tip; the base is pink in winter. The legs are dark grey, brown or black. The sexes are similar but in breeding plumage can be separated by the brighter, more extensive orange breast, neck and head of the male. In winter, adult Black-tailed Godwits have a uniform brown-grey breast and upperparts (in contrast to the streaked back of the Bar-tailed Godwit). Juveniles have a pale orange wash to the neck and breast. In flight, the bold black and white wingbar and white rump can be seen readily. When on the ground it can be difficult to separate from the similar Bar-tailed Godwit, but the longer, straighter bill and longer legs of the Black-tailed Godwit are diagnostic. The Black-tailed Godwit is similar in body size and shape but stands taller than Bar-tailed Godwit.

Similar to Bar-tailed Godwit but has a longer bill which is straight rather than slightly upturned as in Bar-tailed Godwit.

Breeds in water-meadows, marshes and rough pasture. Winters on muddy estuaries, marshes and flood-lands.

Rare breeder, more common on passage. The Icelandic race winters mainly in Britain. Less than 15 breeding pairs in the UK but some 15,000 birds overwinter here.

Relatively common passage migrant and rare winter visitor - recorded in most months, generally in small numbers