Almost all the shorebirds that are going to breed this year have already in April, but we managed to see still heading north at Bodega Bay on our May 10 visit, including these 2 breeding plumage Red Knots, Calidris canutus. Red Knots stick close together when feeding, much like Dowitchers. They often feed in the company of the larger shorebirds like the Marbled Godwit.
We watched these birds on a windy day at low tide, as they picked small food items from the exposed rocks and algae. Often they probe rapidly in the mud like other shorebirds, but that day they seemed to find good pickings on the surface matter, reminding me of turnstones.
The first shot shows some of the colors that we see all too briefly, as the few Knots that winter here wear plain gray outfits and are easily overlooked. The salmon color of the back feathers and coverts, along with the fringed patterns, make for a visual treat. These 2 had a fair amount of rufous on the head and underparts, and likely will get even redder.
Second shot give us an idea of their size, which at 10.5" is large in comparison to our "peeps", but considerably smaller that the nearby Marbled Godwit.
Last shot shows one of the knots in an "alert" posture, perhaps on the lookout for a Peregrine.
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