Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

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A Field Guide to Eastern Birds. by Roger Tory Peterson.

Return to Eastern Shorebirds

Summer Plumage

Color Photograph: © by and courtesy of John Cassady

Winter Plumage

Color Photograph: J.A. Spendelow, U.S. Geological Survey

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

Identification: Length from tip of bill to tip of tail 8 to 10 inches. A stocky, sandpiper-shaped bird.

Summer Plumage: Back and wings rich, rusty-brown, with patches of black. Head mostly white, but crown gray-brown. Bill short, black, triangular. Throat white. Breast black with extensions running to the shoulder of the wing, the back of the neck, and the lower margin of the eye. Underside pure white without streaking on the sides. Legs orange, short.

Winter Plumage: Similar to the summer plumage, but dull brown. Black patch on breast not as distinct and dorsal extensions absent except toward the wing shoulder. Black breast sharply differentiated from the pure white sides and belly.

Similar Species:  The markings and colors of both plumages of the Ruddy Turnstone easily separate this species from all other eastern sandpiper-like shorebirds.

Breeding Range (see map below): The Ruddy Turnstone breeds in the tundra of extreme northern Canada and the western shores of Alaska. The species is also found in northern Europe and Asia.

Overwintering Range:  This species overwinters along the shorelines of the United States and elsewhere around the world.

Habitat: The Ruddy Turnstone is found on coastal tundra during the breeding season. Overwintering birds are found on both rocky and sandy coastlines.

Food: Marine invertebrates, mostly crustaceans.

Behavior: The Ruddy Turnstone gets its name for its habit of walking along beaches and flipping over small stones and pebbles in its search for food. They also dig large holes in sandy beaches searching for sand fleas and other crustaceans.

Reproduction:  The clutch consists of 4 brown-spotted olive-tan eggs. The eggs are laid in a depression lined with grass. The nest is usually concealed under a bush.