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Every spring on the Atlantic Coast, the sky turns scarlet as red knots — adorned with a red breast and a dark, russet back during breeding season — descend onto local beaches to search for meals as they prepare to fly north. These migratory birds travel more than 9,000 miles from South America to the Arctic in one of Earth’s longest migratory events. They can fly without stopping for days: no naps or snacks, just wings and determination.
This long journey requires immense stamina, which is why these shorebirds will stop to feed along the East Coast of the United States. Their northbound trip along the Atlantic coincides with the spawning of horseshoe crabs, and stopover sites with ample food supplies, such as horseshoe crab eggs, are critical. Unfortunately, horseshoe crab populations are either declining or being maintained at impoverished levels.
Why are rufa red knots threatened?
This shorebird’s long journey requires immense stamina, so they must stop to feed along the East Coast of the United States. It’s estimated Delaware Bay alone supports 50% to 80% of the migrating population of red knots, with the remainder known to stop in South Carolina, among other states.
Their northbound trip along the Atlantic is timed to coincide with the spawning of horseshoe crabs. Stopover sites with ample food supplies, such as horseshoe crab eggs, are critical. Unfortunately, horseshoe crab populations are either declining or hanging on at impoverished levels.
Red knots are threatened by overharvesting of horseshoe crabs, climate change, coastal development and other disturbances.
Defenders' Impact
Defenders works to protect rivers, marshes and coastal habitat from pollution and development. We successfully challenged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prevent horseshoe crab harvest in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and successfully sued South Carolina and Charles River Labs to prevent horseshoe crab harvest on South Carolina beaches when red knots are present. when red knots are present. We advocate for the adoption of a synthetic alternative to horseshoe crab blood.
Red knots are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These laws prevent the unlawful killing or harassment of birds, including by degrading their habitats. Defenders is fighting both administrative and legislative efforts to undermine these vital wildlife laws.
What You Can Do
Overturn flipped horseshoe crabs by handling their hard shell (never pick them up by their tail) on beaches, give space to feeding flocks and remove human debris from beaches.
About
Red knots migrate through on sandy beaches and mudflats along the North American coast during spring and fall while they fly between wintering grounds in South America, among other places, and summer breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra.
30,000 to 50,000 birds
Red knots gather to migrate and roost in dense flocks. When foraging for food, red knots probe into the sand and mud with their bills and find food by touch.
Red knots nest on the ground in the tundra, usually near water. Females lay 3 to 4 eggs that hatch in 21 to 22 days.
Red knots mainly feed on mollusks, insects, horseshoe crab and fish eggs, and may eat some plant material early in the season before finding invertebrates.
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