Red Knot ( Calidris canutus rufa ) site fidelity at Península Valdés, Argentina

Red Knots (Calidris canutus rufa), long-distance migratory shorebirds, exhibit strong site fidelity to Península Valdés, Argentina, during their northward migration (March–May). A standardized Site Fidelity Index revealed that these birds are most loyal to playas Blancas, Fracasso, and Colombo, with higher fidelity observed in the San José Gulf compared to the Nuevo Gulf. This pattern likely reflects greater trophic availability in the San José Gulf, underscoring its critical role as a migratory stopover site. The study employed encounter-reencounter data from individually marked birds across monitored beaches (2006–2013), providing a robust tool for conservation and management decisions. Such insights are vital for protecting these ecologically sensitive sites, which act as population bottlenecks.

Musmeci, L. R., Bala, L. O., Tschopp, A., Hernández, M. A., & Coscarella, M. A. (2022). Red Knot ( Calidris canutus rufa ) site fidelity at Península Valdés, Argentina. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 134(2), 302–309. https://doi.org/10.1676/19-00108