Great Knot

Great Knot

Subject : Environment

Context : A great knot from Russia, has found its way to Kerala’s coast, flying over 9,000 km for a winter sojourn. Recently many juvenile great knots have been tagged with MOSKVA rings in the Kamchatka peninsula in eastern Russia.

Concept : 

About Great Knot:

• The Great Knot is an international migratory wading bird that travels vast distances between the northern hemisphere breeding grounds and southern hemisphere summer feeding grounds.
• The Great Knot is a medium-sized shorebird with a straight, slender bill of medium length and a heavily streaked head and neck.
• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Endangered
• Scientific name: Calidris tenuirostris
• Species author: (Horsfield, 1821)

Distribution:

• Great Knots occur around coastal areas in many parts of Australia during the southern summer.
• They breed in eastern Siberia, and when on migration they occur throughout coastal regions of eastern and South East Asia.

Habitat:

• In Australia, Great Knots inhabit intertidal mudflats and sandflats in sheltered coasts, including bays harbours and estuaries.
• They forage on the moist mud, and they often roost on beaches or in nearby low vegetation, such as mangroves or dune vegetation.

Wading birds

• Waders are tiny and long-legged birds commonly found along shorelines and mudflats.
• Wader birds are members of the order of Ciconiiformes and are distinguished by their long legs.
• Wading birds have developed physical and behavioral adaptations that enable them to survive in close proximity to or on water.
• In addition to drinking water, wading birds rely on water for food, shelter, and breeding sites.
• Among the birds in the group are cranes, herons, egrets, storks, spoonbills, and ibises.