Description:
The red knot, Calidris canutus, is an example of a longdistance migratory shorebird. It has been the subject of extensive research worldwide including studies on its breeding cycle, winter ecology, and stopover sites. It is a typical representative of high Arctic shorebirds and is, therefore, a good indicator species for the whole group. As one of nature’s most prodigious travelers, it excites the interest of wildlife enthusiasts, scientists, and conservationists worldwide. For this reason its migration system is among the best known of all shorebirds, although many mysteries still remain. This map presents the worldwide distribution of the six recognized subspecies of the red knot. All breeding areas (dark purple shading) are on high Arctic tundra where adults spend June–July. After their long-distance migrations, they spend the non-breeding season (August–May) mainly in intertidal, soft-sediment habitats (red dots, which are scaled according to population size).