Red Knot (Calidris canutus)

Order: Charadriiformes | Family: Scolopacidae  | IUCN Status: Least Concern

red_knot
Age: Adult, basic Plumage | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America

red_knot
Age: Adult, basic Plumage | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America

red_knot
Age: Adult, Alternate Plumage | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America

red_knot
Age: Adult, basic Plumage | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America

Identification & Behavior: ~25 cm (10 in). The Red Knot in basic plumage is gray with a pale belly. The breast and sides of the belly are speckled with some dusky barring. The alternate plumage is rich-rusty with a gray back. It has a relatively short and straight dark bill. The legs are grayish. The rump and tail are pale gray. Is larger and darker than the Sanderling. It favors mudflats and sandy beaches.

Status: The Red Knot is an uncommon to rare Boreal migrant to the coast of Peru during the months of September through April. Some individuals overwinter in South America. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Playero de Pecho Rufo.

Sub-species: Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), A. Wilson 1813.

Meaning of Name: Calidris: Gr. kalidris, skalidris= shorebird the color of ash mentioned by Aristotle. canutus: in honor of King Canute who ruled England, Denmark and Norway for the period (1016-1035).

See more of the Family Scolopacidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
red knotVoice

References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 01/01/2015.