Knot Birdy

Knot Birdy

It’s another day of watching birds and we’re meeting the Red Knot. Anyone have a guess how they got that name? Let’s find out!

RED KNOT FUN FACTS:

• These red birds are actually more grey most of the year. They develop that color during mating season.
• They are found on every continent except Antartica.
• It is thought that they get their name from the grunting noise they make.
• Their numbers have fallen in North America due to population declines of one of their favorite prey- horseshoe crabs eggs.
• These carnivores have special receptors in their beaks that help them detect pressure. These receptors help them find crustaceans buried in the sand.
• Egrets eat their crustacean prey whole- shell and all. They crush the shells in their gizzard (a muscular part of their stomach), In fact, they have the largest gizzard of any shore bird.
• They are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

These adorable birds remind us of plovers a bit. It’s important that scientists are following population numbers as we are seeing a decline.  Remember to keep our shores clean of any trash, as plastics and other trash can harm our shore bird friends.