THE DIET OF RUFFS AND BLACKTAILED GODWITS IN SENEGAL

Tréca, B 1994. The diet of Ruffs and Blacktailed Godwits in Senegal. Ostrich 65: 256–263.

A study of the diet of Blacktailed Godwits Limosa limosa and Ruffs Philomachus pugnax by direct examination of stomach contents emphasizes the importance of rice, which accounted for over 80% of the items eaten. Rice was available at planting time in July-August and after the harvest in November-December. Thus fat deposition for migration, between January and April-May, is based on a rice diet (cultivated or wild rice). Very little animal matter was eaten. The choice of feeding ground will govern food choice among the available food. Birds which have eaten most are those which have found their preferred food.