Great Knot - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Calidris tenuirostris

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 14 Oct 2024

Description

A medium-sized bulky wader with a straight, dark-brown bill and yellowish-brown legs. It has a striped crown with an indistinct white eyebrow. Its upperparts are grey, with dark feather tips; its underparts are white. The rump is pure white, the tail is tipped with grey. Breeding plumage consists of darker upperparts with black and chestnut markings.

Distribution

In NSW, the species has been recorded at scattered sites along the coast down to about Narooma. It has also been observed inland at Tullakool, Armidale, Gilgandra and Griffith.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs within sheltered, coastal habitats containing large, intertidal mudflats or sandflats, including inlets, bays, harbours, estuaries and lagoons.
Often recorded on sandy beaches with mudflats nearby, sandy spits and islets and sometimes on exposed reefs or rock platforms.
Migrates to Australia from late August to early September, although juveniles may not arrive until October-November.
Most birds return north in March and April, however some individuals may stay over winter in Australia.
Forages for food by methodically thrusting its bill deep into the mud to search for invertebrates, such as bivalve molluscs, gastropods, polychaete worms and crustaceans.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Hydrological changes to inland lakes may modify or remove important areas of suitable habitat for those individuals that overwinter in in Australia.
Habitat loss due to development.
Human disturbance at roosting and foraging sites (e.g. walking, fishing, baiting, pets, boating, horses, 4WD, biking, surfing).
Mangrove incursion into saltmarsh habitat.
Weed invasion of key habitat.
Groundwater pollution impacting foraging habitat and resources.
Habitat loss from erosion, climate change inundation and sea-level rise.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Control dogs on beaches and in estuaries.
'Give way' to birds when walking, driving or riding on the beach.
Protect coastal areas from pollution.
Protect and maintain known or potential habitat; implement protection zones around recent records.

Information sources

Bamford, M., Watkins, D., Bancroft, W., Tischler, G. and Wahl, J. (2008) Migratory shorebirds of the East Asian - Australasian flyway: population estimates and internationally important sites. (Wetlands International - Oceania, Canberra)
Chafer, C.J. and Brandis, C.C. (2006) Changes in the waterbird community of the Lake Illawarra estuary: 20 years of research. Wetlands (Australia) 21(2): 183-202
Garnett, S.T., Szabo, J.K. and Dutson, G. (2011) Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria)
Geering, A., Agnew, L. and Harding, S. (2007) Shorebirds of Australia. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood)
Gosbell, K. and Clemens, R. (2006) Population Monitoring in Australia: Some insights after 25 years and future directions. Stilt 50: 162-175
Higgins, P. and Davies, S. (eds.) (1996) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds Volume 3: Snipe to Pigeons. (Oxford University Press, Melbourne)
Minton, C., Wahl, J., Gibbs, H., Jessop, R., Hassell, C. and Boyle, A. (2011) Recoveries and flag sightings of waders which spend the non-breeding season in Australia. Stilt 59: 17-43
Schodde, R. and Tidemann, S.C. (1988) Complete Book of Australian Birds. Second edition. (Reader's Digest, Sydney)
Smith, P. (1991) The Biology and Management of Waders in NSW. Species Management Report Number 9. (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	Within 5 km of coast or tidal influenced water bodies
NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	Within 5 km of coast or tidal influenced water bodies
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	Within 5 km of coast or tidal influenced water bodies
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	None
Ocean	Batemans Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Manning Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	South Pacific Ocean	Predicted	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
Ocean	Twofold Shelf	Predicted	None
Ocean - Other State	Northern Australian Coastal Waters	Known	None
Ocean - Other State	Southern Australian Coastal Waters	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
Other State	VIC	Known	None
Riverina	Murray Fans	Predicted	None
South East Corner	Bateman	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	Within 5 km of coast or tidal influenced water bodies
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	Within 5 km of coast or tidal influenced water bodies
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Predicted	Within 5 km of coast or tidal influenced water bodies
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Known	Within 5 km of coast or tidal influenced water bodies
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	Within 5 km of coast or tidal influenced water bodies
Sydney Basin	Illawarra	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	Within 5 km of coast or tidal influenced water bodies