Kevin I agree that first calendar year birds can look bedraggled in late
winter and spring, with worn and tattered retained juvenile wing coverts and
tertials contrasting with fresher, replaced nonbreeding feathers. However
where we are, feathers do not wear that quickly in winter and ageing waders
on feather wear is not easy. Even when in hand one has to look very careful
to detect any wear at all! May be the leg colour can help, in breeding
plumage Knots have black legs but as soon as they return to the North Sea
area from the end of July onwards they become paler. Juvenile Knots arrive
in late summer with greenish-yellow legs, I have not been able to establish
when their legs become black but it
would surprise me if that happens in mid-winter. Our 'interesting wader'
seems to have black legs. I guess most of the time you come across birds
belonging to the race rufa and I wonder if you would be able and willing to
share pictures of those birds in non-breeding and/or 1st spring plumages
with us.
Norman

> Kevin Karlson wrote: > I agree with Julian, and in fact came to the same
> conclusion before I read his response. I agree the plumage is not
> consistent with the photo of several Red Knots on your website, but first
> calendar year birds can look totally bedraggled in late winter and spring,
> with worn and tattered retained juvenile wing coverts and tertials
> contrasting with fresher, replaced nonbreeding feathers. The bird appears
> very thin, which lends to the attenuated look, and it appears to be
> leaning into the wind, which also creates a different shape for Red Knot.
> The no-necked look is typical of wind influenced Red Knot posture. I have
> also seen great variation in Red Knot bill length and shape, with some
> birds having thin, drooped bill tips, as your bird does. I would not reach
> for a hybrid label on this bird, but just a thin, tapered looking Red
> Knot. I do agree, however, that it looks especially tapered in the rear,
> which is atypical of Red Knot, but the slightly turned away posture could
> add to this impression in a single photo.<

Norman D.van Swelm wrote: > Julian thank you for your response. So you're
suggesting a Cox Knot! I must admit I am a little allergic for hybrid
solutions but I can fully understand your feelings. For those not familiar
with winter plumage Knots in Europe please have a look at:

http://members.lycos.nl/radioactiverobins/index.htm

then click index, then Knot.

Julian Hough wrote: > Your bird is interesting and, as you suggest,
superficially resembles White-rumped Sandpiper. However, it does look
somewhat strange for a White-rumped in certain ways, mainly the patterning
of the underparts, particularly the breast and flanks. I don't have any
experience of adult White-rumpeds beyond early October, but the breast
pattern and blotch patterning on the flanks isn't correct for White-rumped
at all. Looking at the head, I can't help feeling that it reminds me of a
winter-plumaged Knot - pale grey head, flared super and paleish ear-coverts
(White-rumped's have finely streaked earcoverts and a downward curving super
behind the eye - though posture in the photos could affect this). Also, the
bill shape doesn't seem typical of a White-rumped - usually shorter,
slightly more decurved lower mandible in White-rumped, and again seems
somewhat stouter than I am comfortable with. Also, in the same vein, the
legs also look rather stout. I'm not entirely sure what the bird is, and am
reticent to throw in anyhybrid caveats, but feel sure it's not a typical
White-rumped Sand..
Julian Hough,
CT, USA