Side by side

 

 

A couple of days ago I noticed a few shorebirds in the distance on the rocky shore.  At first I thought all three were going to be Wandering Tattlers (Tringa incana), but with a closer view I could see that one of the birds looked different.

You can compare the two species in the photos above and below.  Note the shade of gray, the amount of pale feather edging, the facial markings around the eye, and the bill length and thickness.  In the photo below you might also be able to compare the leg color.

 

 

 

I usually encounter Red Knots (Calidris canutus) on the tidal flats in Bodega Harbor, so I haven't seen these two species side by side very often. 

The Wandering Tattler is darker gray, shows more subtle pale feather edges (so looks less "scaly"), has more substantial white markings encircling the eye, has a slightly long and thicker (less tapered) bill, and has yellower legs.

The Red Knot is paler gray, has extensive pale feather edges (so looks very "scaly"), has more subtle markings around the eye (but does have a dark line through the eye and pale line above the eye), has a slightly shorter and more tapered bill, and has greenish-yellow legs.

Now I'll show one photo of each so you can guess which is which:

 

 

 

 

 

Nicely done!  The first of the two photos shows a Red Knot and the second shows a Wandering Tattler.  Both of these birds are juveniles. 

Although knot so obvious from a distance, now that you know what to look for, it will be easier to help anyone who is wandering how to tell these juvenile shorebirds apart.  ;)

For scale

  

A quick shot from Westshore Road along the Bodega Harbor shoreline today (18 May 2022).  It's always helpful to have examples of different species side-by-side to appreciate their different sizes.

Four species of shorebirds — Dunlin (lower left), Western Sandpiper (smallest, low center), Red Knots (four at lower right), and Marbled Godwits (in back).

Knot variations

 

 

Well, I had some trouble deciding which Red Knot photos to share, so here's a selection:

Feather details and variations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actively feeding:

 

 

 

 

A small flock, with a few dowitchers.  The dowitchers are on the left and right sides of the photo, and there's also one dowitcher mixed in with the knots (in the back row, with a browner head and back):

 

 

 

 

One more photo, showing a banded bird.  I've reported it and made some inquiries, so perhaps we'll find out where this knot was banded (Alaska?  Washington?).  Banded birds can help identify migration routes, which in the case of Red Knots can include ~8,000 km (~5,000 mile) non-stop flights!

 

 

 

ADDENDUM (22 May 2021):  I submitted this record of a banded Red Knot to the Bird Banding Lab and a few people who might have connections to knot researchers.  Nils Warnock (from Audubon Canyon Ranch) wrote back that Jim Johnson (from USFWS) responded that this bird had been banded on the Seward Peninsula near Nome, Alaska!

Knot too shabby

  

When I went to photograph the turnstones at Dillon Beach this past weekend, I was also lucky enough to run into a small flock of Red Knots (Calidris canutus).  I'm still sorting through pictures, but here are a couple of teasers!  [You can click on them for larger versions.]

 

 

Exceptional

  

 
It was still a bit breezy at the end of the day today (3 May 2021), and the tide was high, so there were some nice groups of shorebirds sheltering along the north end of Bodega Harbor.  

The Red Knots (Calidris canutus) were in nearly full breeding plumage.  Eric and I traded the camera back and forth and ended up with a few shots showing their exceptional russet colors and beautifully patterned feathers.  [You can click on the images for larger versions.]

 

 

Most of these shorebirds are headed north to the tundra now, but it sure is nice to see them in this plumage!

 

Side by side

  

A quick shot of a Red Knot (Calidris canutus) on the left and a Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) on the right feeding along the Bodega Harbor shoreline at the end of the day (20 April 2021).

Probing

 

Juvenile Red Knot (Calidris canutus) near Spud Point on 11 September 2019.

 

Knot too shabby

 

There are some nice-looking Red Knots (Calidris canutus) in Bodega Harbor right now.  Here's a series of one individual from 18 August 2018.  The photographs were taken on the tidal flats on the inside of Doran Beach. 

Feeding:

 

"Clamming" (Check the bill!):

 

Stretching: 

 

For more information about Red Knots, review the post called "A short migration? Knot." from 1 May 2012.

Subtle markings

 

A gray Red Knot (Calidris canutus) in Bodega Harbor on 22 September 2016. 

To compare it with some red Red Knots, see the posts from 1 May 2012 and 7 May 2014.

[Click on the photo for a slightly larger version.]

Big and little

 

 So, a big Calidris and a little Calidris walk onto a sandbar...

Just kidding!

Two Red Knots (Calidris canutus) and a Sanderling (Calidris alba) along Salmon Creek Beach at sunset.  [There were at least three Red Knots feeding among the other shorebirds.]