Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone, breeding plumage, Prudhoe Bay, AK, June

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Ruddy Turnstone, adult, nonbreeding plumage

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A stocky, brightly patterned shorebird, the Ruddy Turnstone can be seen actively pecking, probing, and flipping over stones alony rocky shores.

Description

• Stocky, medium-sized shorebird.
• Short, dark bill fairly thick with a slight upturn.
• Short, orange legs.
• Black-and-white (or gray) clown-like pattern on face.
• Bold white-and-dark wing pattern visible in flight.
• White lower back.
• White tail with black terminal band.
• Bright reddish sides in breeding plumage.

• Size: 21-16 cm (8-6 in)
• Wingspan: 50-57 cm (20-22 in)
• Weight: 84-190 g (2.97-6.71 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes similar, female slightly duller.

Sound

A short rattling chuckle or twittering.

Conservation Status

Populations relatively stable.

Other Names

Tournepierre à collier (French)
Vuelvepiedras rojizo (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The male Ruddy Turnstone makes nest-like scrapes in the ground within his territory, often close to the final site selected by the female. The male's scrapes are made before the female starts to lay eggs, and are part of the courtship and nest site selection process. No eggs are laid in the scapes the male makes.
• As their name suggests, turnstones often forage by turning over stones and other objects.

Sources used to construct this page:

Nettleship, D. N. 2000. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres). In The Birds of North America, No. 537 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.