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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Charadriidae
  4. ›
  5. Erythrogonys
  6. ›
  7. Red-kneed Dotterel
Red-kneed Dotterel
Photo · (c) Andrew Allen, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Red-kneed Dotterel

Erythrogonys cinctusGould, 1838

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Native
Order
CHARADRIIFORMES
Family
Charadriidae
Genus
Erythrogonys

At a glance

The Red-kneed Dotterel is a small bird, about 17–20 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
17–20 cm
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Red-kneed Dotterel look like?

The Red-kneed Dotterel is a small bird, about 17–20 cm long and weighing 35–77 g.

The red-kneed dotterel is a species of plover in a monotypic genus in the subfamily Vanellinae. It is often gregarious and will associate with other waders of its own and different species, even when nesting. It is nomadic and sometimes irruptive.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
17–20 cm
Weight
35–77 g
Wingspan
33 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Red-kneed Dotterel?

The Red-kneed Dotterel is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Red-kneed Dotterel eat?

The Red-kneed Dotterel feeds on fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

3 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Red-kneed Dotterel live in Australia?

The Red-kneed Dotterel is native to Australia, recorded across 79 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingAustralia (except south-central, Tasmania)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Breeding

8 regions recorded