Black-tailed godwits, Netherlands

© Edward van Altena/Minden Picture

Info. Black-tailed godwits, Netherlands

This flock of black-tailed godwits were photographed in the Netherlands. They are large wading birds with long beaks and legs. During spring and summer, they have an orange neck and chest, but in winter they are grey. These birds breed in parts of Europe and Russia, and then migrate to areas in Western Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. A large percentage of the godwit population breeds in the Netherlands, which is why the country voted to make it the national bird in 2015. They also feature in paintings by Dutch artists Vermeer and Rembrandt.