Species BirdsRed Knot

Red Knot

Calidris canutus

UncommonBird
Illustration of Red Knot (Calidris canutus)

The Red Knot makes one of the longest migrations of any bird — traveling up to 9,300 miles twice a year between the Canadian arctic and Tierra del Fuego. Delaware Bay is a critical stopover where knots gorge on horseshoe crab eggs in May, doubling their body weight in two weeks. Declining horseshoe crab populations have caused serious declines in Red Knot numbers.

Habitat
Arctic tundra in summer; sandy beaches and mudflats in migration
Diet
Horseshoe crab eggs, mollusks, and marine invertebrates
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Red Knot

The best time to see a Red Knot is April–September, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,707 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Red Knot? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Red Knot sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Red Knot? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Red Knot is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love birds? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More birds

Red Phalarope
Red Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicarius
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
Red-billed Pigeon
Red-billed Pigeon
Patagioenas flavirostris
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadensis
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus ruber
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus
Red-footed Booby
Red-footed Booby
Sula sula