The Hudsonian godwit, known for its extraordinary long-distance migration, is facing a severe population decline of nearly 95% over the past four decades. This bird undertakes one of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom, travelling up to 30,000 km annually between Arctic breeding grounds and South America, including non-stop flights of thousands of kilometres.
Scientists attribute this sharp decline to a combination of climate change and human activities. In the Arctic, changing seasonal patterns have disrupted the timing of food availability for chicks, while in South America and North America, habitat loss due to aquaculture and agricultural changes has reduced critical feeding and stopover sites.
The species is now under consideration for international protection through the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), with global efforts aimed at conserving migratory routes and habitats. Experts warn that the decline of the Hudsonian godwit reflects broader challenges faced by migratory species worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated conservation action to address climate change and habitat destruction.
