The knot (Calidris canutus) or Red Knot, was first described by Linnaeus in the landmark 1758 tenth edition of his Systema Naturae as Tringa canutus. One theory is that it gets its name and species epithet from King Canute, Knot being another form of Canute; the name would refer to the knot's foraging along the tide line and the story of Canute and the tide. Another etymology is that the name is onomatopoeic, based on the bird's grunting call note. is a dumpy, short-legged, stocky wading bird. In winter, it is grey above and white below. It is known as red knot in America as a result of its lovely red summer plumage.
