"TRENTON, N.J. -- A rust-colored shorebird known for a nearly 20,000-mile migration will now receive federal protection, setting the stage for states to coordinate preservation plans for the dwindling species.

After a 14-month review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the rufa subspecies of the red knot as threatened on Tuesday. Under the Endangered Species Act, the ruling prohibits killing, shooting, hunting or otherwise harming the bird.

The threatened status means a plant or animal is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. Endangered means the species faces extinction."

Michael Catalini reports for the Associated Press December 9, 2014. [2]