Red Knot

Calidris canutus

A globe-trotting shorebird that makes one of the longest migrations on Earth, flying from Arctic breeding grounds to southern wintering sites each year.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Red Knot is a medium-sized shorebird with a distinctive plumage that changes dramatically between seasons.

In breeding plumage, it displays a striking rusty-red face, breast, and underparts, contrasting with its grey back and wings. Breeding females are similar to males, although their plumage is less vibrant, with less red colouring.

During non-breeding seasons, Red Knots transform to a plain grey above and white below. During this time, males and females are alike. They have a straight black bill and short, dark legs. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but with scaly patterning on their backs.

Size

Length

23cm to 26cm

Wingspan

45cm to 54cm

Weight

100g to 200g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Red Grey

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Red Knot is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Red Knot is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Red Knot can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Red Knot can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Red Knot is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Red Knot is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Red Knot is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Red Knot is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Red Knot can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Red Knot is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Red Knot is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Red Knot is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Red Knots breed in the high Arctic tundra and winter on coastal areas across the globe. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica during different parts of their annual cycle.

In North America, they are common along both coasts during migration. Key stopover sites include Delaware Bay in the USA and the Bay of Fundy in Canada.

They also frequent coastal areas in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand during non-breeding seasons.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 300 meters

Climate zones

Arctic, Temperate, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red Knot. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons