#66 What's in a Name? Gorgeous Godwits

With a remarkably long, upturned, half-pink bill, Godwits are amongst the most striking species of shorebird. The Marbled Godwit shown here is named for the mottled pattern on it's back.

The word godwit comes from the Anglo-Saxon, god meaning "good" and whit meaning "bird," literally "good bird" as in "good eating!"

The Godwit's genus name is Limosa, Latin for "muddy," refering to their habitat.

photo © adrian binns