ExploreBirds

Red Knot

Calidris canutus

The Red Knot is a small shorebird known for its beautiful reddish-brown feathers during the breeding season. These birds are great at finding food on sandy beaches and love to travel long distances.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Red Knot is a medium-sized shorebird, distinctive in breeding season with a brick-red face and belly contrasting with its grey-brown, mottled back. In winter, they appear plainer grey above and whitish below, maintaining a relatively short, dark bill and short legs.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyScolopacidaeGenusCalidris
Red Knot
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgecoastal trait badgecarnivorous trait badge
Red Knot

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Red Knots change their feather color dramatically between summer and winter!

Some Red Knots migrate from the Arctic all the way to the tip of South America!

Their epic journey makes them one of the animal kingdom's greatest travelers.

These amazing birds can fly for days and nights without stopping to rest.

Special abilities

Ability

Marathon Migrator

Red Knots can fly astounding distances, over 15,000 km, because they cleverly store vast fat reserves for energy.

Ability

Sensitive Snout

Red Knots have highly sensitive bills that help them feel for hidden clams and worms buried deep in the sand.

Ability

Energy Economizer

Red Knots can temporarily shrink their digestive organs and flight muscles during migration, saving vital energy.

Measurements & details

Length
23-26 cm
Wingspan
47-53 cm
Weight
0.1-0.2 kg
Lifespan
10-20 years
Top Speed
65 km/h
Clutch Size
3-4
Incubation
21-23 days
Migration Distance
15000 km

Diet & Feeding

Red Knots slurp up tiny shellfish and worms from sandy shores, and eat insects in the Arctic.

Primary Foods

  • bivalves
  • marine worms
  • insect larvae
  • crustaceans

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Baltic Clam

Macoma balthica

Red Knots feast on these tiny clams along coastlines.

eaten by

Lugworm

Arenicola marina

Knots probe sandy shores to find these marine worms.

hunts

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

A swift predator, the Peregrine Falcon hunts adult Knots.

eats

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinus

Gulls can prey on eggs and young Red Knots.

Traits

Also known as

Knot

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and do not disturb their nests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Red Knot?

23-26 cm

What is Red Knot's wingspan?

47-53 cm

How much does Red Knot weigh?

0.1-0.2 kg

How long does Red Knot live?

10-20 years

How fast can Red Knot move?

65 km/h

What does Red Knot eat?

Red Knots slurp up tiny shellfish and worms from sandy shores, and eat insects in the Arctic.

Where is Red Knot usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Red Knot hunt?

Foraging

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