Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

Least Concern
An attractive shorebird, frequently seen flipping stones in search of small creatures sheltering beneath. These long-distance migrants visit temperate and tropical coastlines across the globe but return to the Arctic each year to nest.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Ruddy Turnstone is a small, stocky shorebird with a distinctive patterned plumage. Its breeding plumage features a black-and-white head, rufous and black upperparts, and white underparts. The short, slightly upturned black bill and bright orange legs are key identifying features.

Non-breeding adults have duller plumage, brown upperparts, and a dark breast band. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but have buff-edged feathers on their upperparts, giving them a scaly appearance.

In flight, they show bold and contrasting white stripes on the upper wings, down the center of the back, and across the rump.

Size

Length

21cm to 24cm

Wingspan

43cm to 49cm

Weight

85g to 150g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White Brown

Secondary Colour

Rufous

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Orange

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Ruddy Turnstone is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Ruddy Turnstone is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Ruddy Turnstone can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Ruddy Turnstone can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Ruddy Turnstone is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Ruddy Turnstone is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Ruddy Turnstone is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Ruddy Turnstone is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Ruddy Turnstone is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Ruddy Turnstone is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Ruddy Turnstone is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Ruddy Turnstone is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Ruddy Turnstones breed in the Arctic tundra of North America, Europe, and Asia. During non-breeding seasons, they are found on coastal areas worldwide, including rocky shores, sandy beaches, and mudflats.

They are common migrants along the coasts of the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. Some individuals overwinter in these regions, particularly in milder coastal areas.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Arctic, Temperate, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Ruddy Turnstone. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Albania Algeria Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Benin Bermuda Bolivia Botswana Brazil Brunei Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Chad Chile China Christmas Island Colombia Comoros Congo Côte D'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Czech Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor (Timor-Leste) Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Japan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Liberia Libya Lithuania Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea Oman Pakistan Palestine Panama Papua New Guinea Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Réunion Romania Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Korea Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Switzerland Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The Bahamas The United Kingdom Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Uganda United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Greenland Norway Russia Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Sweden United States of America
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Belgium Belize British Virgin Islands Bulgaria Costa Rica Curaçao Cyprus Faroe Islands Gibraltar Guadeloupe Ireland Italy Jamaica Latvia Macedonia Micronesia Netherlands Saint Barthelemy Saint Martin South Sudan Spain Tunisia Turkey Uruguay US Virgin Islands
Species that pass through the area during migration
Afghanistan Jordan Lebanon Ukraine
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Belarus Eswatini Lesotho Liechtenstein Luxembourg Paraguay Rwanda Slovenia

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Ruddy Turnstone demonstrates remarkable agility in its foraging technique, adeptly flipping over stones and debris. Its ability to navigate rocky coastlines and fly at speeds up to 80 km/h during migration further showcases its nimbleness.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong for its size, the Ruddy Turnstone possesses sufficient strength to turn over beach objects and pry open shellfish. Its stocky build contributes to a moderate strength rating for a small shorebird.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Highly adaptable, this species thrives in various coastal environments worldwide, from Arctic tundra to tropical beaches. Its diverse diet and ability to adjust to different climates during migration indicate exceptional adaptability.

Aggressiveness 65

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Ruddy Turnstones display moderate aggression, particularly during breeding season with elaborate courtship displays and territorial behaviour. However, they are often seen foraging peacefully in small flocks, suggesting a balanced temperament.

Endurance 80

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Ruddy Turnstone's long-distance migratory habits, flying between Arctic breeding grounds and global wintering areas, demonstrate impressive endurance. Their ability to survive in harsh Arctic conditions and live up to 20 years in the wild further supports this high endurance rating.

Diet

Ruddy Turnstones have a varied diet, primarily consisting of invertebrates such as mollusks, crustaceans, and insects. They also consume small fish, carrion, and occasionally bird eggs and even human scraps.

When nesting on the tundra, these birds focus on flies and other small invertebrates but also forage for berries and other plant matter.

Their specialized bill allows them to pry open shellfish and turn over beach debris to find hidden prey.

Behaviour

Ruddy Turnstones are known for their foraging technique, which involves flipping over stones, shells, and debris with their bills to uncover prey. They are often seen in small flocks probing and searching for food along shorelines.

During the breeding season, males perform elaborate courtship displays, including wing-raising and stone-tossing behaviors.

Vocalisation

Ruddy Turnstones are fairly vocal birds with a distinctive, rapid-fire call often described as a staccato 'kit-kit-kit' or 'keet-keet-keet'.

During the breeding season, males produce a more melodious warbling song. In flight, they emit sharp, whistling notes that help maintain flock cohesion.

Nesting & Breeding

Ruddy Turnstones form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, typically from May to August in the Arctic. Males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females.

Nests are shallow scrapes on the ground, often lined with leaves and lichen. Females usually lay 4 olive-green eggs with dark brown spots. Both parents contribute to nest building and egg incubation.

Incubation lasts about 22-24 days, and chicks fledge after 19-21 days. Young birds are precocial and can leave the nest shortly after hatching but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Ruddy Turnstones face threats from habitat loss due to coastal development and climate change.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting key stopover sites along their migration routes and preserving breeding grounds in the Arctic.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

460,000 - 730,000 individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Ruddy Turnstones along rocky coastlines and beaches
  • Observe their distinctive foraging behavior of flipping over objects
  • Listen for their rapid, staccato calls, especially during flight
  • In the UK and US, watch for them during spring and fall migrations along coastal areas

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Turnstone

Family:

Scolopacidae

Average Lifespan

6 to 9 years

Max Lifespan

22.3 years [4]

Predators

Main predators include Arctic foxes, gulls, jaegers, and falcons. Eggs and chicks are particularly vulnerable to predation.

Did You Know?

  1. Ruddy Turnstones can fly at speeds up to 50 mph (80 km/h) during migration.
  2. They have been observed feeding on the eggs of horseshoe crabs during spring migration.
  3. Some individuals have been recorded living for over 20 years in the wild.

FAQs

Why is it called Ruddy Turnstone?

The Ruddy Turnstone’s name describes its ruddy (reddish) plumage and its habit of flipping small stones in search of prey.

Is a Ruddy Turnstone a plover?

Despite a similar appearance, Ruddy Turnstones are not closely related to Plovers. Turnstones are from the Arenaria genus of the Scolopacidae family, while Plovers are from various genera of the Charadriidae family.

Is the Ruddy Turnstone a carnivore?

Ruddy Turnstones are technically omnivores because they eat some plant material, although invertebrates form the bulk of their diet.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2019. Arenaria interpres. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22693336A154669637.

    View source
  2. 2 3

    report, 2015: Wetlands International

  3. 4

    website, 2012: Robinson and Clark, The Online Ringing Report: Bird ringing in Britain & Ireland in 2011

    View source

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