Red knot (Calidris canutus )

The red knot (Calidris canutus) (just knot in English-speaking Europe) 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 Calidris sandpipers, second only to the great knot. Six subspecies are recognised.

There are six subspecies,in order of size;

• C. c. roselaari – (Tomkovich, 1990) – (largest)
• C. c. rufa – (Wilson, 1813)
• C. c. canutus – (Linnaeus, 1758)
• C. c. islandica – (Linnaeus, 1767)
• C. c. rogersi – (Mathews, 1913)
• C. c. piersmai – (Tomkovich, 2001) – (smallest)

An adult red knot is the second largest Calidris sandpiper, measuring 23–26 cm (9.1–10.2 in) long with a 47–53 cm (19–21 in) wingspan. The body shape is typical for the genus, with a small head and eyes, a short neck and a slightly tapering bill that is no longer than its head. It has short dark legs and a medium thin dark bill. The winter, or basic, plumage becomes uniformly pale grey, and is similar between the sexes. The alternate, or breeding, plumage is mottled grey on top with a cinnamon face, throat and breast and light-coloured rear belly.

Rare bird in the Danube Delta, especialy come in migration in autumn.

photo : Mihai BACIU