The Red Knot Bird's Essential Pit Stop
In The Red Knot Bird's Essential Pit Stop, narrator Sir David Attenborough follows red knot birds on their nearly 10,000 mile (16,000 kilometer) journey from Argentina to Canada. They stop in Delaware Bay to feast on horseshoe crab eggs, needing to eat up to 400,000 eggs to double their weight before continuing their journey. But all that feeding makes them easy targets for predators like the peregrine falcon, adding danger to their incredible adventure! This video is excerpted from BBC's Life, a show that explores the remarkable strategies animals and plants use to ensure their survival.
Lesson Express
Q: Why is it important for the red knots to arrive at Delaware Bay at the perfect time?
A: Red knots need to eat the horseshoe crab eggs, which provide the nutrition they need to double their weight before continuing their journey to Canada. If they miss this window, they won’t have enough energy to complete their migration.
Q: How does the behavior of the red knots in Delaware Bay make them vulnerable to predators like the peregrine falcon?
A: The red knots are so focused on eating that they become less aware of their surroundings, making them easy targets for predators like the peregrine falcon. Their need to eat large amounts of food for energy causes them to lower their guard, which increases the risk of being attacked.
Q: How does the migration of the red knots demonstrate the importance of timing in nature?
A: The red knots must arrive at specific locations at the right time to find food, avoid predators, and successfully complete their long journey. This timing is crucial for their survival and their ability to reproduce.