Black tailed godwit: when drabness gives way to colour

At Perumbakkam, this black-tailed godwit was found ready for the flight back to its breeding grounds on April 10, 2025. Photo: Prince Frederick 
| Photo Credit: PRINCE FREDERICK

Many a wintering bird would acquire their breeding preparedness “badges” even when the breeding grounds are an indefinitely large number of wing flaps away. The newly acquired dress might not serve their intended purpose yet, but then, one dresses up for the jamboree not when it is on them, but ahead of them. That is actually anthropomorphic blah-blah: there is considerable variation and that would make any sweeping statement absurd. 

Some birds might begin to “dress up” for the “party” in earnest only when they find themselves in the hazy beginnings of it. They might put on the breeding plumage in full only when they have arrived back in their breeding grounds. Whether they fly back in breeding plumage or a partial version of it or none of it depends on the time they choose to make the return journey. 

The black tailed godwit at Perumbakkam on April 10, 2025. Photo: Prince Frederick 
| Photo Credit:
PRINCE FREDERICK

In contrast, some birds are markedly transformed during the fag end of the wintering season, the adult black-tailed godwit being one of them. The drab shades are well and truly gone. Their heads, necks and chests seem to have been exposed to a powerful blast of brick dust. The wings acquire the quality of an artfully woven cloth, with black and white threads coming together in a delectable design. At Perumbakkam, this black-tailed godwit was found ready for the flight back to its breeding grounds on April 10, 2025. Photos: Prince Frederick