Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
The Red Knot is a medium-sized shorebird with a distinctive reddish-brown plumage during the breeding season, fading to gray in winter. It is renowned for one of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom, flying from the Arctic tundra to the southern tip of South America. In Patagonia, large flocks gather along coastal mudflats and estuaries during the austral summer. The species is a vital indicator of wetland health and is currently considered near threatened due to habitat loss and declining food sources along its migratory route.
Habitat
Coastal mudflats, estuaries, sandy beaches, and tidal lagoons in Patagonia during the non-breeding season.
Foraging
Feeds by probing mud and sand for small invertebrates, especially mollusks, worms, and crustaceans.