Red Knot
Scientific Name: Calidris canutusMaltese Name: Pispisella Prima
Family: Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Occurence: Very Rare
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Red Knot, is a medium sized shorebird which breeds in tundra and the Arctic Cordillera in the far north of Canada, Europe, and Russia. It is a large member of the sandpipers family, second only to the Great Knot. Their diet varies according to season; arthropods and larvae are the preferred food items at the breeding grounds, while various hard-shelled molluscs are consumed at other feeding sites at other times. The Eurasian populations winter in Africa, Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. This species forms enormous flocks when not breeding. It has short dark legs and a medium thin dark bill. The winter plumage is uniformly pale grey. The breeding plumage is mottled grey on top with an orange-red face, throat and breast.
Status:
Vagrant. Only 15 records of this species.
When to See:
7 records in May, 1 in August and 7 records in September.
Where to See:
Most records from Salina and Ghadira. Other records from around the coast.
Photographs:
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Red Knot, Ghadira Nature Reserve, 2nd September 2010 |
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Red Knot, Ghadira Nature Reserve, 15th May 1983 |
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