Red Knot

Overview

Red Knot (Calidris canutus) is a species of Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae) in the order Shorebirds, Gulls and Alcids. A chunky sandpiper that turns brick-red in breeding plumage; makes one of the longest migrations of any bird, from the Arctic to South America; famous for refueling on horseshoe-crab eggs at Delaware Bay.

Scientific Classification

Genus: Calidris; binomial: Calidris canutus; authority: (Linnaeus, 1758). Typical size: 23-26cm. Average lifespan: 5-10 years.

Distribution

Breeding range: the Nearctic and the Palearctic. Non-breeding range: SA, Europe, AF, AU : coasts worldwide from temperate zone to tropics; in Indian Ocean mainly w Australia, and in Pacific in New Zealand but rare on other remote islands.

Conservation Status

This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.

Remarks

No additional remarks recorded.