Red Knot, 5/15/2012

This is the first time I ever photograph a Red Knot. Most of the waterfowls I saw are gray and white in terms of plumage, dull and unattractive. It's not true this time. As I saw this Red Knot, I was amazed by its outstanding red plumage covering large area of its neck and breast. Finally there is one waterfowl that looks different.

Oddly enough, this Red Knot always hung around with two Great Knots. Why? Too lonely? For the entire day, I saw only one Red Knot in Watzuwei Nature Reserve area, Bali District, New Taipei City. After I went home and searched the web, I found that Red Knots are uncommon passage migrants here in Taiwan. No wonder they are lonely and like to hang around with other waterfowls.


Red Knot, photographed on 5/15/2012, at Watzuwei Nature Reserve area, Bali District, New Taipei City



Great Knots and Red Knot, photographed on 5/15/2012, at Watzuwei Nature Reserve area, Bali District, New Taipei City



Great Knots and Red Knot, photographed on 5/15/2012, at Watzuwei Nature Reserve area, Bali District, New Taipei City



Red Knot and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, photographed on 5/15/2012, at Watzuwei Nature Reserve area, Bali District, New Taipei City



Great Knots and Red Knot video recorded on 5/15/2012, at Watzuwei Nature Reserve area, Bali District, New Taipei City

Chinese name:	紅腹濱鷸
English name:	Red Knot
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Calidris canutus
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Scolopacidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern.
Migration status:	Passage migrant in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Uncommon in Taiwan
Foods:	Insects, mollusks
Habitat:	Wetlands, outlets of rivers, mudflats of sea shores
Altitude:	Low altitude
Behavior:	Often appear in flocks in mudflats of sea shores, wetlands, swamps and outlets of rivers, and mixed with other Scolopacidae and Charadriidae birds.
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 25 cm long. Bill is black. Feet are dark green. There are vertical black stripes from head top to rear neck. Back, wing and tail are mainly gray. The breeding plumage is light reddish brown on face, neck and belly, with some maroon and black spots on wings.
Breeding places:	Far north of Europe, Asia and America.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in southern Europe, Africa, southern Asia, Oceania, Australia, New Zealand, southern America.
Time photographed:	5/15/2012
Location found:	Bali District, New Taipei City
Sources:	Internet
Notes: