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Red-kneed DotterelAlternate name(s): Misnomer: "Sandpiper*" Size: 17-20 cm; wing span 33-38 cm Weight: 45-65 g |
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Similar |
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Photos |
Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a
look here .
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ADULT |
Sex unknown |
Near-frontal view of a Red-kneed Dotterel
[Near Wanaaring
, NSW, September 2012]
Near-lateral view of two Red-kneed Dotterels
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, March 2022]
Lateral view of a Red-kneed Dotterel
[Near Wanaaring
, NSW, September 2012]
Lateral view of Red-kneed Dotterels in shallow water
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Keep River NP, NT, November 2018]
5 out of a total of 10 Red-kneed Dotterels with two
Grey Teals
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, March 2022]
Near-dorsal/ventral view of a Red-kneed Dotterel foraging in shallow water
[Near Wanaaring
, NSW, September 2012]
Near-dorsal view of Red-kneed Dotterels in shallow water
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Keep River NP, NT, November 2018]
Dorsal view of a Red-kneed Dotterel
[Near Wanaaring
, NSW, September 2012]
Dorsal view of two Red-kneed Dotterels with two
Grey Teals and
a Pacific Black Duck
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, March 2022]
Lateral view of a Red-kneed Dotterel in flight, giving a clear view of its underwing pattern (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
Lateral view of a Red-kneed Dotterel in flight, giving a clear view of its upperwing pattern (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
Near-dorsal view of a Red-kneed Dotterel in flight, giving a clear view of its upperwing pattern (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Lateral view of an immature Red-kneed Dotterel; note that the head
is not yet black
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, March 2022]
Lateral view of an immature Red-kneed Dotterel
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, March 2022]
Near-dorsal view of an immature Red-kneed Dotterel, right, with an
adult for comparison
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, March 2022]
Frontal view of an juvenile Red-kneed Dotterel starting to moult
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, November 2019]
Near-frontal view of an juvenile Red-kneed Dotterel starting to moult
adult plumage
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, November 2019]
Lateral view of juvenile Red-kneed Dotterel starting to moult
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, November 2019]
Lateral view of an immature Red-kneed Dotterel starting to moult
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, November 2019]
Lateral view of two juvenile Red-kneed Dotterels
[Ca. 30 km S of Mungindi, NSW, February 2023]
Adult, left, with two juvenile Red-kneed Dotterels
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, March 2022]
Two adult, left and right, with three juvenile Red-kneed Dotterels
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, March 2022]
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Breeding information |
Breeding season: Sep - Dec | Eggs: 2 - 5 | Incubation period: 25 - 26 days | Fledging age: N/A |
The breeding season depends on geographical latitude and on weather conditions. In the tropical North they usually breed during the dry season. Given the right circumstances, Black-fronted Dotterels, in principle, can breed any time of the year. Chicks are precocials and will leave the nest very soon after hatching.
Nest building: N/A | Incubation: Female & male | Dependent care: Female & male |
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Nest |
"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal] |
Type: Scrape | Material: Sandy or rocky soil | Height above ground: N/A |
Red-kneed Dotterel nest with 4 eggs (photo courtesy of D. Johnston)
[Macquarie Marshes
NP, NSW, 1980ies]
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Eggs |
"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay] |
Size: 30 x 21 mm | Colour: Heavily speckled | Shape: Tapered oval |
Red-kneed Dotterels (see also Black-fronted Dotterel eggs for comparison!) have the ability to adapt the colour of their eggs to the surroundings of the nest/scrape.
Red-kneed Dotterel egg colour adaptation to wetland fringe with
aquatic plants (photo courtesy of D. Johnston)
[Macquarie Marshes
NP, NSW, 1980ies]
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Behaviour |
Although spending most of their lives in water, even aquatic birds need to bathe.
Distant view of a Red-kneed Dotterel taking a bath
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2013]
In good conditions, and most likely outside the breeding season, Red-kneed Dotterels can form significant flocks.
6 of in total 10 Red-kneed Dotterels found in close proximity to a
mob of at least 18
Black-fronted Dotterels
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Herdsman Lake, Perth, WA, March 2022]
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Food, Diet |
Frontal view of an immature Red-kneed Dotterel with an egg?
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, November 2019]
Near-lateral view of an immature Red-kneed Dotterel with its
next meal, an egg?
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, November 2019]
Near-dorsal view of an immature Red-kneed Dotterel scooping up
its next meal, an egg?
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, November 2019]
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Call(s)/Song |
For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own;
comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
redkdot_20141109.mp3 | (NW NSW) | Contact call? | © MD | |
redkdot_20180516.m4a | (NW NSW) | Warning/departure? | © MD |
More Red-kneed Dotterel sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
.