CALIDRIS CANUTUS Meaning and
Definition
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Calidris canutus, commonly known as the red knot, is a medium-sized shorebird belonging to the family Scolopacidae. It is primarily found in the Arctic tundra during the breeding season and migrates to various coastal areas around the world during the non-breeding season.
The red knot has a distinctive appearance with a plump and compact body measuring about 8-10 inches in length. It has a short, straight bill and relatively long legs, which are bright orange in color during the breeding season and become dull grayish-black during winter. The adult bird has a grayish-brown plumage, while the head and neck exhibit a reddish-brown color. In flight, it reveals a white wedge-shaped pattern on its back.
Being a long-distance migrant, Calidris canutus travels thousands of miles during its biannual migrations, making it one of the most remarkable avian journeys. It relies heavily on coastal mudflats and sandy beaches as stopover and foraging sites during migration. Its diet mainly consists of small invertebrates, such as mollusks, worms, insects, and crustaceans, which it probes from the sand or mud.
Calidris canutus is known for its synchronized feeding behavior, forming dense flocks that move in unison along the shorelines. It communicates through a series of sharp, melodic calls. Due to habitat loss, disturbance, and pollution, as well as overhunting in the past, the red knot has faced population decline and is a species of conservation concern in numerous regions. Efforts to protect and restore its critical habitats are crucial to its survival.
Common Misspellings for CALIDRIS CANUTUS
- xalidris canutus
- validris canutus
- falidris canutus
- dalidris canutus
- czlidris canutus
- cslidris canutus
- cwlidris canutus
- cqlidris canutus
- cakidris canutus
- capidris canutus
- caoidris canutus
- caludris canutus
- caljdris canutus
- calkdris canutus
- calodris canutus
- cal9dris canutus
- cal8dris canutus
- calisris canutus
- calixris canutus
Etymology of CALIDRIS CANUTUS
The word "Calidris canutus" is a scientific binomial name for a species of bird known as the red knot. In terms of etymology, "Calidris" is derived from the Greek words "kalos" meaning "beautiful", and "dres" meaning "face". This name likely refers to the characteristic appearance of the bird's face.
The specific epithet "canutus" is derived from "Canute", which is an Old English name. It is believed that this name was given to the bird to honor King Canute or Cnut the Great, who ruled over Denmark, England, and Norway during the 11th century. This connection could be due to the fact that the red knot species breeds in the Arctic, which includes parts of Denmark.
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