Wildlife

Wild Godwit Migration Welfare

Bar-tailed godwits make extraordinary non-stop migrations from Alaska to New Zealand, representing the ultimate test of individual bird welfare.

Key Facts

Bar-tailed godwits make non-stop flights of over 11,000km from Alaska to New Zealand
They fast completely during migration, burning muscle protein after fat reserves deplete
Pre-migratory hyperphagia doubles body weight, with organs shrinking to reduce weight
Godwits benefit from tailwinds of weather systems during migration
Bar-tailed godwits require pristine mudflats at staging sites before migration

Welfare Considerations

Bar-tailed godwit migration welfare represents the extreme end of avian physiological challenge. The non-stop flight requires burning muscle tissue after fat reserves exhaust, representing a severe physiological stress. Staging mudflat quality determines whether individuals arrive at breeding grounds in condition for successful reproduction.

What You Can Do

Support mudflat conservation protecting godwit staging sites globally
Advocate for sustainable fisheries management protecting invertebrate-rich mudflats
Contribute to godwit monitoring tracking migration routes and survival