Little stint (Calidris minuta)

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The little stint (Calidris minuta) belongs to the family of sandpipers, snipes and stints, the Scolopacidae.

The little stint is distributed in Africa, Europe, Asia and Indian subcontinent. The stint species is fully migratory. This stint species is monotypic.

Key Facts	Description
Pictures of Little Stint	Distribution
Ecosystem & Habitat	Conservation

Little stint - Description and identification

The little stint (Calidris minuta) is a small stint, measuring 10 to 15 cm in length and weighing 20 to 45 grams. The wingspan is 25 to 30 cm.

These stint species have brown upperparts with black, dark brown and white mottling. The head, neck and upper breast have brown striations. There is a brown lore. The underparts are white. The non-breeding birds are paler.

The bill is long, dark and black. The legs and feet are long and blackish. The irises are dark. There is a whitish eye-ring. The call is a loud high-pitched trilling sound.

1.Little stint - Calidris minuta
Image by Ken Billington

2.Little stint - Calidris minuta
Image by Zeynel Cebeci

3.Little stint - Calidris minuta
Image by Davidvraju

Little stint - Geographical range and distribution

The breeding populations of the little stint species are distributed in Arctic Europe and Arctic Asia.

The wintering populations are distributed in southern Europe, Mediterranean region, Africa, Madagascar, Middle East, Indian subcontinent and coastal Myanmar.

The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of the little stint in Russia are, Torna-Shoina watershed, Dvuob'ye, Lapland Biosphere Reserve, Lower Ob', Upper and Middle Yuribey, Lower Yuribey and Bolshaya Rogovaya river.

The IBA of these stint species in Norway are, Varanger Peninsula, Slettnes and Røst. The IBA in India are, Krishnarajasagar Reservoir, Kaliveli Tank and Yeduyanthittu estuary.

The IBA of these species in Kazakhstan are, Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve, Kushmurun Lake and Zhumay-Mayshukyr Lake System. The IBA in Pakistan are, Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary and Indus Dolphin Reserve and Kandhkot wetlands.

Ecosystem and habitat

The little stint species do not occur in forests. They normally occur in altitudes between 0 to 1000 meters. The artificial ecosystems include freshwater ponds, wastewater treatment ponds and irrigated agricultural fields.

The natural ecosystems and habitats of the stint species include Arctic tundra, Arctic coastlines, tundra wetlands, tundra grasslands, estuaries, mudflats, salt-marshes, freshwater lakes, rivers and streams.

Diet and feeding behavior

The diet of the little stint species consists mainly of invertebrates. Larval and adult flies, small beetles, larvae of mosquitoes, craneflies, annelids, ants, crustaceans, molluscs and plant matter are their primary food.

Reproduction and breeding habits

The breeding season of these little stint species is during June and July in most of their breeding range. Monogamous, polygynous and polyandrous behavior had been observed. Males and females may incubate separate clutches.

The breeding ecosystem includes low altitude Arctic tundra, Arctic grassy islands and icy tundra. The nest is a cup-like shallow depression on open elevated ground, which may be covered by vegetation.

The clutch may contain three to five off-white colored oval eggs with dark patches. The chicks hatch out after 20 to 25 days of incubation. The hatchlings are precocial, able to feed themselves almost immediately.

Migration and movement patterns

The little stint species are fully migratory birds. They breed in Arctic Europe and Arctic Asia. They migrate southwards during July to September and arrive at the wintering grounds in late September and October.

These stint species winter in Africa, west coast of Europe, Indian subcontinent, Arabian peninsula, Mediterranean region and coastal Myanmar.

The return migration to the Arctic breeding grounds occurs in early summer, from mid-May to early-June (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The immature birds stay back and spend the summer in the wintering grounds.

Little stint - Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Calidris minuta
• Species author: (Leisler, 1812)
• Synonyms/Protonym: Tringa minuta Leisler, 1812
• Family: Scolopacidae › Charadriiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
• Vernacular names: English: Little stint, Chinese: 小滨鹬, French: Bécasseau minute, German: Zwergstrandläufer, Spanish: Correlimos menudo, Russian: Кулик-воробей, Japanese: ヨーロッパトウネン
• Other names: Little Stint
• Distribution: Africa, Asia, Europe
• Diet and feeding habits: invertebrates, insects, larval insects
• IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)

Little stint - Conservation and survival

The global population size of the little stint (Calidris minuta) is estimated to number about 1,500,000 to 1,600,000 individual birds (Wetlands International 2015). The overall population trend of the species is considered to be increasing.

In most of its range, this stint species is reported to be common to fairly common. The generation length is 6.8 years. Its distribution size is about 4,750,000 sq.km.

Ecosystem degradation, ecosystem conversion, adverse weather, climate change, hunting for food and sport hunting are the main threats that may endanger the survival of the stint species.

IUCN and CITES status

The little stint (Calidris minuta) species does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the species and has listed it as of "Least Concern (LC)".

The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the little stint (Calidris minuta).

Taxonomy and scientific classification of Calidris minuta
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Scolopacidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Calidris
Species:	C. minuta
Binomial name:	Calidris minuta
IUCN status listing:	Least Concern

The little stint (Calidris minuta) was earlier included in the genus Erolia.

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1.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Little_Stint_(Calidris_minuta)_(1).jpg (cropped)
Image author: Ken Billington | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 1/14/19
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org (cropped)
Image author: Zeynel | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 as on 1/14/19
3.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org (cropped)
Image author: | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 as on 1/14/19
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Updated Jan 14, 2019
Recently updated and current topic in Bird World: Little stint - Calidris minuta.

Red-necked stint images

Bird World   ›   Red-necked stint   ›   Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis) images
Taxonomic classification   < >   Images

The red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis) belongs to the family Scolopacidae under the order Charadriiformes.

Red-necked stint taxonomy

The family Scolopacidae comprises stints, curlews, snipes and sandpipers. The family Scolopacidae was first described by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz (22 October 1783 – 18 September 1840), a zoologist, botanist, writer and polyglot, in the year 1815.

The family Scolopacidae comprises twenty five genera, including Calidris. The genus Calidris was first described by Blasius Merrem (4 February 1761 – 23 February 1824), a German naturalist, zoologist and ornithologist, in the year 1804.

The genus Calidris comprise 23 species, including the stint species Calidris ruficollis. The species Calidris ruficollis was first described by Peter Simon Pallas FRS FRSE (22 September 1741 – 8 September 1811), a Prussian zoologist and botanist, in the year 1776.

The stint species Calidris ruficollis has been listed as "Near Threatened" (NT) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Taxonomic classification
Binomial name:	Calidris ruficollis
Species:	C. ruficollis
Genus:	Calidris
Subfamily:	-
Family:	Scolopacidae
Order:	Charadriiformes
Class:	Aves
Phylum:	Chordata
Kingdom:	Animalia

1.Red-necked stint - Calidris ruficollis
Image by Alpsdake

2.Red-necked stint - Calidris ruficollis
Image by Alpsdake

3.Red-necked stint - Calidris ruficollis
Image by Alpsdake

4.Red-necked stint - Calidris ruficollis
Image by JJ Harrison

5.Red-necked stint - Calidris ruficollis
Image by JJ Harrison

6.Red-necked stint - Calidris ruficollis
Image by JJ Harrison

7.Stint species Calidris ruficollis
Image by JJ Harrison

8.Calidris ruficollis
Image by JJ Harrison

9.Calidris ruficollis
Image by John Manger, CSIRO

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1.Red-necked stint image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_ruficollis_summer_plumage.JPG (cropped)
Author: Alpsdake | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 1/5/19
2.Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_ruficollis_in_Fujimae-higata.JPG (cropped)
Author: Alpsdake | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 1/5/19
3.Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_ruficollis_wing.JPG (cropped)
Author: Alpsdake | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 1/5/19
4.Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_ruficollis_-_Pak_Thale.jpg (cropped)
Author: JJ Harrison | License: CC BY 3.0 as on 1/5/19
5.Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_ruficollis_2.jpg (cropped)
Author: JJ Harrison | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 1/5/19
6.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_ruficollis_2_-_Pak_Thale.jpg (cropped)
Author: JJ Harrison | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 1/5/19
7.Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_ruficollis_-_Marion_Bay.jpg (cropped)
Author: JJ Harrison | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 1/5/19
8.Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_ruficollis_-_Boat_Harbour.jpg (cropped)
Author: JJ Harrison | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 as on 1/5/19
9.Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CSIRO_ScienceImage_10330_Rednecked_Stint.jpg (cropped)
Author: John Manger, CSIRO | License: CC BY 3.0 as on 1/5/19
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Updated Jan 5, 2019
Recently updated and current topic in Bird World: Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis) images.

Red-necked stint

Bird World   ›   List of Indian quails with images   ›   Red-necked stint - Calidris ruficollis

The red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis) belongs to the family of sandpipers, curlews and stints, the Scolopacidae.

The red-necked stint is distributed in Alaska, northeast Russia, southeast China, southeast Asia, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand. The stint species is fully migratory. The stint species is monotypic.

Overview & Quick Facts	Description & Identification
Pictures of Red-necked Stint	Distribution & Range
Ecosystem & Habitat	Diet & Feeding Behavior
Breeding Habits	Migration & Movement Patterns
Conservation & Survival	IUCN Status
Taxonomy & Classification	Bird World

Appearance, physical description and identification

The red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis) is a small wader, measuring 12 to 17 cm in length and weighing 20 to 50 grams. The wingspan is 30 to 35 cm.

The breeding red-necked stint has reddish face, cheek and throat. The crown is pale with fine dark brown striations. There is grayish lore. The upperparts are whitish with dark brown and rufous patterns.

In wintering red-necked stint the neck and the face are whitish. The lore is paler. The upperparts are grayish brown with large leaf-like patterns. The underbelly and undertail are white in both the forms.

The bill is long, sharp and dark. The legs and feet are blackish. The irises are blackish brown. There is a pale eye-ring. The red-necked stint call is a sharp, loud "quik.. quik", "queek.. queek" and "chripp.. chripp" sound.

1.Red-necked stint - Calidris ruficollis
Image by Alpsdake

2.Red-necked stint - Calidris ruficollis
Image by Alpsdake

3.Red-necked stint - Calidris ruficollis
Image by Alpsdake

Origin, geographical range and distribution

The breeding populations of the red-necked stint are distributed in Arctic and subarctic northeast Russia and northwest and west Alaska.

The wintering stint populations occur in southern China, southeast Asia, eastern India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand.

Vagrant populations of the red-necked stint occur in Canada, western coast of USA, United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Israel and United Arab Emirates.

The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of the red-necked stint in Russia are, Moroshechnaya River, Babushkina and Kekurnyy Gulfs, Malakchan bay, Bol'shaya River Estuary and Geka bay.

The IBA of the stint species in South Korea are, Nakdong-gang estuary, Cheonsu Bay, Mangyeong estuary and Dongjin estuary. The IBA in China are, Yong Jiang Estuary, Xuanmen Wan, Taizhou Wan and Lianyungang saltworks.

Ecosystem and habitat

The red-necked stint species does not normally occur in forest. It normally occurs in altitudes between 0 to 500 meters.

The natural ecosystems and habitats of the red-necked stint species include tundra grasslands, subalpine grassland belt, shoreline, estuaries, lagoons, tide pools, intertidal mudflats, marshes and freshwater wetlands.

Diet and feeding behavior

The diet of the red-necked stint species consists mainly of small invertebrates. Insects, insect larvae, beetles, sawflies, wasps, bees, ants and small seeds are their primary food.

Reproduction and breeding habits

The breeding season of the red-necked stint species is during May and June in most of their breeding range. They are monogamous and territorial. They may breed in loose colonies.

The breeding habitats include low altitude montane tundra and tundra grasslands. The nest is a shallow depression on the ground.

Migration and movement patterns

These red-necked stint species are fully migratory birds. The breeding populations occur in northeast Arctic and subarctic Russia and sporadically in north and west Alaska (USA).

These stint species leave breeding grounds during August-September to winter in coastal regions of Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, southeast Asia, southern China, Australia and New Zealand.

The return migration to the breeding grounds takes place from mid-April to early May. During migration, these birds pass through stopover sites in Japan, North Korea, South Korea, China and southeast Asia.

Red-necked stint - Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Calidris ruficollis
• Species author: (Pallas, 1776)
• Synonyms/Protonym: Trynga ruficollis Pallas, 1776
• Family: Scolopacidae › Charadriiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
• Vernacular names: English: Red-necked stint, Chinese: 红颈滨鹬, French: Bécasseau à col roux, German: Rotkehl-Strandläufer, Spanish: Correlimos cuellirrojo, Russian: Песочник-красношейка, Japanese: トウネン
• Other names: Red-necked Stint, Rufous-necked Stint
• Distribution:Alaska, northeast Russia, southeast China, southeast Asia, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand
• Diet and feeding habits: insects, insect larvae, beetles, seeds
• IUCN status listing: Near Threatened (NT)

Conservation and survival

The global population size of the red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis) is estimated to be about 315,000 individual birds by Wetlands International in 2015. The overall population trend of the species is reported to be declining.

In most of its range, this stint species is reported to be uncommon to rare. The generation length is 7.5 years. Its breeding and wintering distribution size is about 3,360,000 sq.km.

Ecosystem degradation, ecosystem conversion, severe weather, climate change, habitat loss at stopover sites, hunting and pollution are the main threats that may endanger the survival of the stint species.

IUCN and CITES status

The red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis) species is approaching the thresholds for being Vulnerable under the range size criterion, under the population trend criterion and under the population size criterion.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the species and has listed it as "Near Threatened (NT)".

The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis).

Taxonomy and scientific classification of Calidris ruficollis
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Scolopacidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Calidris
Species:	C. ruficollis
Binomial name:	Calidris ruficollis
IUCN status listing:	Near Threatened

The red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis) was earlier included in the genus Erolia. It has close resemblance to the little stint (Calidris minuta).

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1.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_ruficollis_in_Fujimae-higata.JPG (cropped)
Author: Alpsdake | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 1/5/19
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_ruficollis_summer_plumage.JPG (cropped)
Author: Alpsdake | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 1/5/19
3.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_ruficollis_wing.JPG (cropped)
Author: Alpsdake | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 1/5/19
Link to Creative Commons copyright licenses

Updated Jan 4, 2019
Recently updated and current topic in Bird World: Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis).

Sanderling images

Bird World   ›   Sanderling   ›   Sanderling - Calidris alba images
Taxonomic classification   < >   Images

The Sanderling (Calidris alba) belongs to the family Scolopacidae under the order Charadriiformes.

Sanderling taxonomy

The Scolopacidae is the family of sandpipers, curlews, snipes, sanderlings and turnstones.

The family Scolopacidae was first introduced by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz (22 October 1783 – 18 September 1840), a zoologist, botanist, writer and polyglot, in the year 1815.

The family Scolopacidae comprises fifteen genera, including genus Calidris. The genus Calidris is the genus of knots and sanderlings. The genus Calidris comprises twenty-four species, including Calidris alba.

The genus Calidris was first described by Blasius Merrem (4 February 1761 – 23 February 1824), a German naturalist, zoologist, ornithologist, mathematician and herpetologist, in the year 1804.

The species Calidris alba was first described by Peter Simon Pallas FRS FRSE (22 September 1741 – 8 September 1811), a Prussian zoologist and botanist, in the year 1764.

The sanderling species Calidris alba is polytypic and comprises two subspecies.

Taxonomic classification
Binomial name:	Calidris alba
Species:	C. alba
Genus:	Calidris
Subfamily:	-
Family:	Scolopacidae
Order:	Charadriiformes
Class:	Aves
Phylum:	Chordata
Kingdom:	Animalia

1.Sanderling - Calidris alba
Image by Hans Hillewaert

2.Sanderling - Calidris alba
Image by Hansueli Krapf

3.Sanderling - Calidris alba
Image by Hans Hillewaert

4.Sanderling - Calidris alba
Image by Dick Daniels (http://carolinabirds.org/)

5.Sanderling - Calidris alba
Image by JJ Harrison

6.Sanderling - Calidris alba
Image by Ianaré Sévi

7.Sanderling - Calidris alba
Image by Hansueli Krapf

8.Calidris alba
Image by Ianaré Sévi

9.Calidris alba
Image by Amada44

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1.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_alba_(breeding_plumage).jpg (cropped)
Author: Hans Hillewaert | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 as on 11/27/18
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2012-01-18_13-07-14_Spain_Canarias_Jand%C3%ADa.jpg (cropped)
Author: Hansueli Krapf | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 11/27/18
3.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_alba_(adult_summer),_Sanibel_Island,_Florida.jpg (cropped)
Author: Hans Hillewaert | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 11/27/18
4.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sanderling_(Calidris_alba)_RWD3.jpg (cropped)
Author: Dick Daniels (http://carolinabirds.org/) | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 11/27/18
5.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_alba_-_Laem_Phak_Bia.jpg (cropped)
Author: JJ Harrison | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 11/27/18
6.Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_alba_running_5.jpg (cropped)
Author: Ianaré Sévi | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 11/27/18
7.Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2012-01-18_13-06-17_Spain_Canarias_Jand%C3%ADa.jpg (cropped)
Author: Hansueli Krapf | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 11/27/18
8.Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_alba_running_6.jpg (cropped)
Author: Ianaré Sévi | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 11/27/18
9.Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_alba_-_6235.jpg (cropped)
Author: Amada44 | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 11/27/18
Website for detailed description and information on distribution, habitat, behavior, feeding and breeding habits, migration and conservation status of beautiful birds with their images.

Updated Nov 27, 2018
Recently updated and current topic in Bird World: Sanderling - Calidris alba images.

Sanderling | American birds

Bird World   ›   Red knot images   ›   Sanderling - Calidris alba

The sanderling (Calidris alba) belongs to the family of knots, curlews and sanderlings, the Scolopacidae.

The sanderling is distributed in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Indian subcontinent and Australia. The sanderling species is fully migratory. This sanderling species is polytypic.

Overview & Quick Facts	Description & Identification
Pictures of Sanderling	Distribution & Range
Ecosystem & Habitat	Diet & Feeding Behavior
Breeding Habits	Migration & Movement Patterns
Conservation & Survival	IUCN Status
Taxonomy & Classification	Bird World

Appearance, physical description and identification

The sanderling (Calidris alba) is a medium-sized sanderling, measuring 20 to 25 cm in length and weighing 40 to 100 grams. The wingspan is 35 to 40 cm.

The adult breeding sanderling has mottled red-brown crown, throat, upper breast and upperparts. The face is reddish brown. There is a blurred lore. The entire belly and vent region is whitish.

There is varying levels of redness among the subspecies. The wintering birds have pale gray mottled upperparts and whitish underparts. The juveniles are pale gray and white.

The dark bill is short and thick. The short legs and feet are blackish. The irises are blackish. There is a grayish eye-ring. The sanderling call is a repeated, plaintive, nasal, piping sound.

1.Bird World - Sanderling - Calidris alba
Image by Hansueli Krapf

2.Bird World - Sanderling - Calidris alba
Image by Hans Hillewaert

3.Bird World - Sanderling - Calidris alba
Image by Hans Hillewaert

Origin, geographical range and distribution

The sanderling is distributed in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Indian subcontinent and Australia and surrounding islands.

The nominate sanderling subspecies C. a. alba is distributed in extreme central and north Russia (Severnaya Zemlya Islands and Taymyr Peninsula), Svalbard (Norway), Greenland and extreme north Canada (Ellesmere Island).

This subspecies winters on west and south European coasts, coastal Africa, Coast of Arabian peninsula, coastal Indian subcontinent, southern Asian islands, Australia, New Zealand and some Pacific islands.

The sanderling subspecies C. a. rubida is distributed in northeast Russia (Lena Delta and New Siberian Islands), Alaska (USA) and parts of northern Canada. It winters in coastal north and south Americas and eastern coastal Asia.

The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of sanderling in USA are, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Cape Lookout National Seashore. The IBA in Spain are, Costa da Morte and Ferrolterra-Valdoviño coast.

The IBA of these species in United Kingdom are, Ribble and Alt Estuaries, The Wash, Swansea Bay - Blackpill and South Westray Coast. The IBA in South Africa are West Coast National Park and Saldanha Bay islands.

The IBA of the sanderling in Mexico are, Ría Lagartos, Bay Santa María, Estero Cardonal, Delta of the River Colorado and Coastal hunedals of the North of the Peninsula of Yucatan.

Ecosystem and habitat

The sanderling species do not normally occur in forests. They normally occurs in altitudes between 0 to 200 meters.

The natural ecosystems and habitats of these sanderling species include tundra grasslands, tundra wetlands, tidal flats, shorelines, estuaries, tide pools, marine lakes and coastal freshwater lakes.

Diet and feeding behavior

The diet of these sanderling species consists mainly of invertebrates. Insects, larval insects, beetles, ants, termites, spiders, crabs, snails, worms, grass, seeds, moss and sedges are their primary food.

Reproduction and breeding habits

The breeding season of these sanderling species is during June and July in most of their breeding range. These birds are mostly monogamous; occasional polyandry is observed. They nest solitarily or in small groups.

The nesting sites are located in Arctic on barren, stony tundra, gentle slopes or level alluvial plains. The nest is a shallow depression on the bare ground. Sometimes the nest is lined with grass.

The nest is usually built by the female. The clutch contains four olive green eggs, with dark blotches. Both the sanderling parents incubate the eggs. The chicks hatch out after 24 days and fledge after 17 days.

Migration and movement patterns

These sanderling species are fully migratory birds. The breeding populations are found in Arctic and subarctic North America, Europe and Asia. They migrate to the wintering grounds in August and September.

These sanderling species return to the breeding grounds in early Arctic summer. They travel in stages through a few stop-over sites during their movements between breeding and wintering grounds.

Sanderling - Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Calidris alba
• Species author: (Pallas, 1764)
• Synonyms/Protonym: Tringa alba Pallas, 1764
• Family: Scolopacidae › Charadriiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
• Vernacular names: English: Sanderling, Chinese: 三趾滨鹬, French: Bécasseau sanderling, German: Sanderling, Spanish: Correlimos tridáctilo, Russian: Песчанка, Japanese: ミユビシギ
• Other names: Sanderling, Ruddy Plover
• Distribution: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Indian subcontinent, Africa and Australia
• Diet and feeding habits: insects, beetles, spiders, bees, crustaceans, molluscs, worms
• IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)

Conservation and survival

The global population size of the sanderling (Calidris alba) is estimated at 620,000 to 700,000 individual birds (Wetlands International 2015). The overall population trend of the species is reported to be stable.

In most of its range, this sanderling species is reported to be uncommon to locally common. The generation length is 8.1 years. Its distribution size is about 13,600,000 sq.km.

Ecosystem degradation, ecosystem conversion, severe weather, climate change, pollution, sport hunting and susceptibility to avian influenza are the main threats that may endanger the survival of the sanderling species.

IUCN and CITES status

The sanderling (Calidris alba) species does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion, or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the species and has listed it as of "Least Concern".

The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the sanderling (Calidris alba).

Taxonomy and scientific classification of Calidris alba
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Scolopacidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Calidris
Species:	C. alba
Binomial name:	Calidris alba
IUCN status listing:	Least Concern

The two recognized subspecies of the sanderling (Calidris alba) are:
C. a. alba (Pallas, 1764) and
C. a. rubida (J. F. Gmelin, 1789).

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1.Sanderling image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2012-01-18_13-07-14_Spain_Canarias_Jand%C3%ADa.jpg (cropped)
Image author: Hansueli Krapf | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 11/27/18
2.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_alba_(breeding_plumage).jpg (cropped)
Image author: Hans Hillewaert | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 as on 11/27/18
3.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_alba_(adult_summer),_Sanibel_Island,_Florida.jpg (cropped)
Image author: Hans Hillewaert | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 11/27/18
Website for detailed description and information on distribution, habitat, behavior, feeding and breeding habits, migration and conservation status of beautiful birds with their images.

Updated Nov 27, 2018
Recently updated and current topic in Bird World: Sanderling - Calidris alba.

Red knot | American birds

Bird World   ›   Greater white-fronted goose images   ›   Red knot - Calidris canutus

The red knot (Calidris canutus) belongs to the family of knots, curlews and snipes, the Scolopacidae.

The red knot is distributed in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Indian subcontinent and Australia. The knot species is fully migratory. This knot species is polytypic.

Overview & Quick Facts	Description & Identification
Pictures of Red Knot	Distribution & Range
Ecosystem & Habitat	Diet & Feeding Behavior
Breeding Habits	Migration & Movement Patterns
Conservation & Survival	IUCN Status
Taxonomy & Classification	Bird World

Appearance, physical description and identification

The red knot (Calidris canutus) is a large-sized knot, measuring 20 to 25 cm in length and weighing 80 to 220 grams. The wingspan is 45 to 55 cm.

The adult breeding red knot has mottled gray crown and upperparts. The face, neck, throat, breast, belly and flanks are reddish brown. There is a blurred lore. The rear-belly is whitish.

There is varying levels of redness among the subspecies. The wintering birds have pale gray upperparts and whitish underparts. The molting to the basic or the alternate plumage occurs mostly during their migration.

The dark tapering bill is thin. The short legs and feet are gray. The irises are blackish. There is a whitish eye-ring. The red knot call is a repeated, plaintive monosyllabic "knutt" or a disyllabic "knuup.. knuup" sound.

1.Bird World - Red knot - Calidris canutus
Image by DickDaniels (http://carolinabirds.org/)

2.Bird World - Red knot - Calidris canutus
Image by Hans Hillewaert

3.Bird World - Red knot - Calidris canutus
Image by DickDaniels (http://carolinabirds.org/)

Origin, geographical range and distribution

The red knot is distributed in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Indian subcontinent and Australia and surrounding islands.

The nominate red knot subspecies C. c. canutus is distributed in central and north Russia (Siberia, Taymyr Peninsula and Yakutia). This subspecies winters in west and south Africa and southern Asia.

The knot subspecies C. c. piersmai is distributed in New Siberian Islands (Russia). This subspecies winters northwest Australia. The subspecies C. c. rogersi is found in Chukotskiy Peninsula (Russia) and winters in Australia and nearby islands.

The red knot subspecies C. c. roselaari is distributed in Wrangel Island (Russia) and northwest Alaska (USA). It winters in coasts of north Venezuela, Panama and southeast USA.

The subspecies C. c. rufa breeds in low Arctic Canada and winters in south America. The subspecies C. c. islandica breeds in high Arctic Canadian islands and northern Greenland and and winters in western Europe.

The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of red knot in USA are, Delaware Coastal Zone, Cape Lookout National Seashore, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Delaware Bayshore Region.

The IBA in Russia are, Tyk and Viakhtu bays, Ola lagoon, Nevskoye Lake, North-east Sakhalin lagoons, Aniva bay, Moroshechnaya River, Kuril islands and Lesser Kuril Ridge and Kunashir Island.

The IBA of the red knot species in Argentina are, Sistema Península de Valdés, San Antonio Oeste, Reserva Costa Atlántica de Tierra del Fuego y zonas adyacentes and Bahía de Samborombón y Punta Rasa.

Ecosystem and habitat

The red knot species do not normally occur in forests. They normally occurs in altitudes between 0 to 300 meters.

The natural ecosystems and habitats of these knot species include tundra grasslands, tundra wetlands, tidal flats, shorelines, estuaries, tide pools, marine lakes and coastal freshwater lakes.

Diet and feeding behavior

The diet of these red knot species consists mainly of invertebrates. Insects, larval insects, beetles, ants, termites, spiders, crustaceans, molluscs, worms, grass and sedges are their primary food.

Reproduction and breeding habits

The breeding season of these red knot species is during May and June in most of their breeding range. These birds are monogamous and nest solitarily or in small groups.

The knot nesting sites include low-lying, shrubby tundra, close to marshes, lakes, pools, rivers, moist marshy slopes and flats in foothills. The nest is an open shallow depression on hammocks or on stony or gravelly ground.

The nest is usually built by the male. Sometimes it is lined with plant matter and moss. The clutch contains four pale cream eggs, with dark blotches.

Both the red knot parents incubate the eggs. The chicks hatch out after 22 days. The female leaves the chicks before their fledging. The males leave, once the young have fledged. The juveniles make their first migration on their own.

Migration and movement patterns

These red knot species are fully migratory birds. The breeding populations are found in Arctic and subarctic North America, Europe and Asia. They migrate to the wintering grounds in August and September.

These knot species return to the breeding grounds in early Arctic summer. They travel in stages through a few stop-over sites during their movements between breeding and wintering grounds.

Red knot - Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Calidris canutus
• Species author: (Linnaeus, 1758)
• Synonyms/Protonym: Tringa Canutus Linnaeus, 1758
• Family: Scolopacidae › Charadriiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
• Vernacular names: English: Red knot, Chinese: 红腹滨鹬, French: Bécasseau maubèche, German: Knutt, Spanish: Correlimos gordo, Russian: Исландский песочник, Japanese: マガン
• Other names: Red Knot, American Knot, Common Knot
• Distribution: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Indian subcontinent, Africa and Australia
• Diet and feeding habits: insects, beetles, spiders, bees, crustaceans, molluscs, worms.
• IUCN status listing: Near Threatened (NT)

Conservation and survival

The global population size of the red knot (Calidris canutus) is estimated at 891,000 to 979,000 individual birds (Wetlands International 2015). The overall population trend of the species is reported to be decreasing.

In most of its range, this knot species is reported to be common to locally common. The generation length is 6.8 years. Its distribution size is about 17,800,000 sq.km.

Ecosystem degradation, ecosystem conversion, severe weather, climate change, pollution, sport hunting and susceptibility to avian influenza are the main threats that may endanger the survival of the knot species.

IUCN and CITES status

The red knot (Calidris canutus) species is approaching the thresholds for being Vulnerable under the range size criterion, under the population trend criterion and under the population size criterion.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the species and has listed it as "Near Threatened".

The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the red knot (Calidris canutus).

Taxonomy and scientific classification of Calidris canutus
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Scolopacidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Calidris
Species:	C. canutus
Binomial name:	Calidris canutus
IUCN status listing:	Near Threatened

The red knot (Calidris canutus) is closely related to the great knot (Calidris tenuirostris).

The six recognized subspecies of the red knot (Calidris canutus) are:
C. c. canutus (Linnaeus, 1758),
C. c. islandica (Linnaeus, 1767),
C. c. rufa (A. Wilson, 1813),
C. c. roselaari Tomkovich, 1990,
C. c. rogersi (Mathews, 1913) and
C. c. piersmai Tomkovich, 2001.

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1.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red_Knot_2012c_RWD.jpg (cropped)
Image author: DickDaniels (http://carolinabirds.org/) | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 11/26/18
2.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Calidris_canutus_(summer).jpg (cropped)
Image author: Hans Hillewaert | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 as on 11/26/18
3.Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/ (cropped)
Image author: DickDaniels (http://carolinabirds.org/) | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 as on 11/26/18
Website for detailed description and information on distribution, habitat, behavior, feeding and breeding habits, migration and conservation status of beautiful birds with their images.

Updated Nov 26, 2018
Recently updated and current topic in Bird World: Red knot - Calidris canutus.