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The Life Histories of Birds of North America species account for the Red Knot (BNA #563: Red Knot), published in 2001, states "Little is known of
what factors most influence survivorship of Red Knots." This new book attempts to close that
gap in knowledge and to use that knowledge to spur conservation and recovery. Heavily
illustrated with maps and graphs, this book assembles the most up-to-date information about
this bird with an extraordinarily long-distance migration, traveling nearly from pole to pole
and back within a year. The Red Knot is known for gathering in huge flocks at migration
staging areas, where individuals fatten before embarking on these nonstop flights. Whether
breeding mortality, food availability, habitat loss, or a combination of these interconnected
reasons is to blame, this book is a major step forward in understanding the challenges facing
Red Knot recovery. A huge list of authors contributed to this compilation and synthesis of new information.
ABSTRACT:
The population of the rufa subspecies of the Red Knot (Calidris canutus), which breeds in
the central Canadian Arctic and mainly winters in Tierra del Fuego, has declined dramatically over
the past 20 years. Previously estimated at 100,000-150,000, the population now numbers 18,000-33,000.
Counts show that the main Tierra del Fuego wintering population dropped from 67,546 in 1985 to
51,255 in 2000, 29,271 in 2002,31,568 in 2004, but only 17,653 in 2005 and 17,211 in 2006.
Demographic studies covering 1994-2002 showed that the population decline over that period
was related to a drop in annual adult survival from 85% during 1994-1998 to 56% during 1999-2001.
Population models showed that if adult survival remained low, C. c. rufa would go extinct within
about 10 yr. After 2002, the population held up in 2003-2004, but plunged again by nearly 50% in 2005
increasing the likelihood of extinction within the next decade. Despite intensive studies, the reasons
for the population decline and reduced adult survival are imperfectly known.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(headings only)
Author addresses
Abstract
Taxonomy
Physical Description
Distribution in time and space
Biology and natural history
Habitat
Population Size and Trends
Threats
Summary of land ownership and existing habitat protection
Past and current conservation and habitat management activities undertaken to benefit the species
Monitoring Effects and Management Activities
Conservation Goals and the surveys, monitoring, research, and management needed to support them
Update to the status of the red knot (Calidris canutus) in the Western Hemisphere, February 2008
Acknowledgements
Literature Cited
AUTHORS:
Lawrence J. Niles, Humphrey P. Sitters, Amanda D. Dey,
Philip W. Atkinson, Allan J. Baker, Karen A. Bennett,
Roberto Carmona, Kathleen E. Clark, Nigel A. Clark,
Carmen Espoz, Patricia M. Gonzalez, Brian A. Harrington,
Daniel E. Hernandez, Kevin S. Kalasz, Richard G. Lathrop,
Ricardo N. Matus, Clive D. T. Minton, R. I. Guy Morrison,
Mark K. Peck, William Pitts, Robert A. Robinson, And
Ines L. Serrano
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