Sandpipers · Shorebirds
Ruddy Turnstone
Link copied.
Arenaria interpres
Link copied.
Voice
Call
Alarm
Call
How to recognize it
-
22–24 cm long, stocky, with short bright orange legs
-
In breeding plumage: chestnut-rufous back with black markings, black breast and white sides
-
Outside the breeding season: grey-brown back, dark head with little white
-
Shore feeding: flipping small stones and seaweed with the bill
About the species
In breeding plumage, the Ruddy Turnstone has a rusty-brown back marked with black, a mostly white head streaked in black, and a black chest broken by white patches at the sides. Its lower body is white, and its short legs are bright orange. A dark, slightly upturned bill points forward. Away from the breeding season, its upperparts turn greyer and its head shows less white.
It feeds in flocks, flicking stones and other objects aside with its bill to reach prey underneath. Its call is a clipped, rattling "krr-krr"; in the breeding season, it also gives a chattering alarm call. Individuals vary in how they forage, sometimes probing into sand or pecking at the surface instead of turning things over.
It nests on open northern tundra near water, then spends the nonbreeding season along coasts, especially rocky or stony shores, and on breakwaters and jetties. Its food is mostly invertebrates: insects and larvae are important while breeding, while crustaceans, molluscs and worms feature at other times. After breeding in northern Eurasia and North America, it migrates to coastlines across much of the world, though some stay in wintering areas year-round.
Where to find
-
On rocky or stony shores, watch for a ruddy turnstone flicking over small stones to uncover prey.
-
Beside washed-up seaweed, look for short pushes and pecks through the wet piles.
-
On breakwaters and jetties, scan for flocks foraging.
-
At inland wetlands during spring and autumn migration, ruddy turnstones may probe the mud for invertebrates.
