I love both godwit species that are found in South Dakota. The Marbled is the bigger of the two, and the one that actually sticks around for the summer and breeds here. The Hudsonian Godwit is just a migrant. They can be confusing sometimes, as a female Hudsonian Godwit (or a male in winter plumage) can look similar to a Marbled Godwit when they're sitting still or wading and feeding. When they take flight, however, the beautiful black and white patterns on a Hudsonian Godwit are distinctive. My favorite photo of the species is a photo of one banking in flight, showing off that gorgeous plumage. Photo taken on April 23rd, 2020 at Lake Thompson , South Dakota.
All photos are copyrighted by Terry L. Sohl. Contact me for print options or questions about photo use.
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