Red Knot (Calidris canutus), Willcox big pond, Cochise County

This juvenile Red Knot was discovered and photographed at the Willcox big pond on 11 September 2009 by Dave Stejskal.

Dave writes:

"Red Knot is a casual fall migrant in the state and to Southeast Arizona in particular, averaging one bird every two or three years. 2009 has been a good year for this species in the state so far, with two adults reported about a week and a half apart in August at the Glendale recharge ponds west of Phoenix, as well as this individual.

Red Knot is our largest and chunkiest expected Calidris sandpiper. Adults in alternate plumage are a straightforward i.d., but other plumages are less so. One of the best marks on this juvenile bird are the pale-tipped upperpart feathers with a thin, distinct dark subterminal band separating the gray feather interiors from the thin pale margins. This mark, along with the short, very straight black bill, short, dull greenish legs, along with the relative size and shape of the bird clinch the i.d."

11 September 2009, photo by David Stejskal

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