Its sister species, the surfbird C. virgata and red knot C. canutus , are the next largest.
Vulnerable
At a glance
FamilySandpipers and Allies
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
Habitatwoody trees scattered, closed forest, open woodland, sparse woodland, and waterbodies
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from January to March.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Christian A. Jensen
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
28708approx records
7states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Distinctive adult in breeding plumage has a brick-orange upperwing patch, blackish back, and chest with black mottling. Duller nonbreeding and juvenile plumages are grayish brown above, white below, with grayish mottling in neck and upper breast. Smaller Red Knot much paler in nonbreeding plumage and has shorter bill.
Behavior
Flight call a sharp, whistled “kweet-kweet.”
Gallery
Regional timing
Victoria
South Australia
New South Wales
Queensland
Western Australia
Northern Territory
Tasmania