Great Knot

Migrant and non-breeding visitor. Overall, population is in sharp decline, but in recent years, numbers at particular Malaysian sites have increased.

Medium-sized, stocky shorebird with tapered and slightly decurved bill, usually longer than head, and shortish olive-green legs. In flight, thin white greater covert bar, white rump and grey tail above; below, underwing is lightly barred except for median coverts which are white. Ad B: (Mar – Aug) Head streaked grey, ear coverts, crown and lores slightly darker than indistinct supercilium. On breast, black feather centres coalesce to form a blotchy black breastband, below which are dense black heart-shaped spots on a white backgound. Upperparts have dark grey or blackish centred feathers with paler edges. A variable number of scapulars are rich chestnut at base with black subterminal marks and whitish tips when fresh. Ad Nb: (Sep – Feb) Head similar to Ad B but paler grey, with darker loral area prominent. Throat and breast lightly spotted; belly, vent and flanks white with sparse streaks. Upperparts pale grey, and slightly mottled in appearance, due to black shaft streak and paler edges to scapulars, tertials and wing coverts. Juv: (Aug – Oct) Similar to Ad Nb but spots and streaks darker grey; scapulars blackish with pale edges; wing coverts grey with blackish anchor marks and white edge.

Best differentiated from Ad Nb Red Knot by larger size, longer bill, smaller head, longer legs, plainer head pattern and absence of grey chevrons on flanks. In flight, Red Knot has less contrasting, grey rump. From other Calidrids by much larger size and blocky body shape. From Common and Nordmann’s Greenshanks by shorter legs.

Forages, often together with Red Knots, Bar-tailed Godwits and Grey Plovers, in dense flocks near the tideline, feeding mainly on bivalves.

Favours mud and mud/sand substrates along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the east coast of Johor. In Bornean Malaysia, largest numbers occur in western Sarawak and the east coast of Sabah. Increased numbers in the last 1-2 decades are likely a knock-on effect of habitat destruction elsewhere in the Flyway.

Most frequently seen from early September – mid-April.