BirdNote Daily Hudsonian Godwit
Oct 20, 2025
Discover the remarkable story of the Hudsonian Godwit, a bird once thought extinct due to overhunting. Nesting in the High Arctic, it embarks on an incredible migration from Canada to South America. Despite currently numbering in the tens of thousands, this species faces serious threats from climate change and habitat loss. Join the exploration of its survival, the challenges it faces, and the hope for its future.
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Declared Extinction That Wasn't
- Alexander Wetmore declared the Hudsonian godwit extinct in 1926 after heavy hunting reduced sightings.
- Despite his despair, the species persisted and was not actually gone.
Elusive Migration Routes
- Hudsonian godwits nest in the High Arctic and migrate over ocean to South America in fall.
- Their spring route through the Great Plains makes them rarely seen by people.
Threats Despite Modest Numbers
- Current populations number in the tens of thousands but the species remains threatened.
- Climate-driven changes to Arctic nesting grounds and coastal development on wintering grounds pose major risks.