Chris Davidson Photography
RedKnot-1165-j
Red Knot (Calidris canutus)
New Jersey
The plumage colors seem highly variable for this species during their migration northward. Only a few birds seem to have this deep beautiful coloring on both chest and wings. Getting one isolated always seems a challange.
Like most birds, Red Knots have a preen gland at the base of the tail that secretes a waxy oil. When preening, they cover their feathers in these protective waxes by bringing the bill to the gland, then rubbing the bill across and under the feathers. As the breeding season approaches, the chemical composition of this wax changes to a form that mammal predators can't easily detect.
RedKnot-1165-j
Red Knot (Calidris canutus)
New Jersey
The plumage colors seem highly variable for this species during their migration northward. Only a few birds seem to have this deep beautiful coloring on both chest and wings. Getting one isolated always seems a challange.
Like most birds, Red Knots have a preen gland at the base of the tail that secretes a waxy oil. When preening, they cover their feathers in these protective waxes by bringing the bill to the gland, then rubbing the bill across and under the feathers. As the breeding season approaches, the chemical composition of this wax changes to a form that mammal predators can't easily detect.