Marbled Godwit
NDGF
L 18”, WS 30”, 13 oz. Buff-brown, barring underneath, long up-turned, flesh-colored bill with a dark tip, and orangish underwings visible in flight.
Status in North Dakota
Occurs in North Dakota from early April to early October. Peak breeding season mid-April to mid-June.
Range Map
Marbled Godwit primary (dark gray), secondary (medium gray), and possible/uncommon (light gray) breeding range.
Reason for SWAP Designation
At-risk, ND range important (SGCN b.).
ND ranks 1st out of 15 states for highest percent of the global population (15.26%) during the breeding season (eBird).
The Marbled Godwit is declining precipitously, and ND has high stewardship responsibility for this species.
Threats
Loss of grassland and grassland/wetland complexes.
Loss and degradation of wetlands, drainage and wetland consolidation.
Hydrologic shifts in wetlands of the PPR due to wetland consolidation and drainage, climate and land use changes (i.e. lakeification).
Classified as climate-endangered, Marbled Godwit is projected to lose more than half of its current distribution by 2050, with no net gains of new areas (Audubon).
Increasing applications of agrochemicals and adverse impacts to water quality, the wetland vegetative community, and the aquatic invertebrate community.
Early mowing can destroy nests or kill the adult on the nest.
Collisions with overhead lines and wind turbines.
Research and Monitoring
Habitat requirements and demographics have been broadly researched on the breeding grounds.
Little known about annual adult survival or fledgling survival.
Information lacking on migration strategies, stopover sites, and wintering behaviors.
The Breeding Bird Survey, eBird and Partners in Flight Databases are key sources of information on distribution and population trends.
Management Recommendations
- Protect and conserve large, intact tracks of native prairie/unbroken grassland and wetland complexes.
- Reconstruct or restore grassland adjacent to existing tracts of native prairie/unbroken grassland.
- Restore hydrology and vegetation to degraded wetlands.
- Use native grasses when replanting or restoring grassland.
- Burn, mow, and graze grasslands to provide areas of shorter, sparser vegetation.
- Minimize pesticide and herbicide use on grasslands.
- Remove tall, dense vegetation in the fall by using haying and grazing.
- Prevent or remove shrubs and tall woody vegetation in grasslands, either mechanically or by prescribed fire.
- Follow beneficial or best practices during the design, siting, construction, operation, and maintenance of tall structures (e.g. transmission lines, communication towers, wind turbines).
Primary Geological Regions
Habitat Associations
Habitat Use
Marbled Godwits require large expanses of short, sparse to moderately vegetated uplands for nesting.
High next success requires extensive grass cover and a high quantity of wetlands.
Godwits prefer native grassland over tame, but will use pastures, idle grasslands, and hayland.
Grazed or recently grazed and burned uplands are often more attractive.
Nest on the ground, in dry uplands or wet meadow areas.
Adults with broods will use taller, denser grass.
Semi-permanent, seasonal, and temporary wetlands with shallow water and little dense emergent vegetation are used for foraging.
Also forage in the uplands, wet meadows, and roadsides.
Primary prey items include insects, aquatic tubers, leeches, and small fish.