shorebirds
1. Bird Name: The bird in question is the Ruddy Turnstone. Its scientific name, as classified by biologists, is Arenaria interpres.
2. Appearance: Sporting a unique, hodgepodge of bright colors and patterns, the Ruddy Turnstone is easily identifiable. Its bold streaks of black, white, and reddish-brown, are a sight to behold. The bird has a short, sharp, black beak specifically designed to flick away pebbles and shells in search of food. Its dark eyes glare out from a white face, punctuated by a black crescent marking. In terms of any sexual dimorphism, the male is typically more vibrant, particularly in the breeding season.
3. Size: This spirited bird generally reaches an average length of 22-26 cm or 8.7-10.2 inches. It boasts a wingspan of approximately 50-57 cm, or 19.7-22.4 inches, and typically weighs in the range of 85-150 g.
4. Habitat & Distribution: A hardy traveler, the Ruddy Turnstone is found all over the world. It is present across all continents, but its preference is coastal areas. This bird’s habitat ranges from the sandy beaches of Australia, grassy coastal plains of North America, rocky coasts of Europe to the icy coasts of Antarctica.
5. Interesting Facts: The Ruddy Turnstone gets its name from its unique habit of flipping over stones, shells, and seaweed with its beak to search for food. A remarkable long-distance flyer, this bird has been recorded to fly non-stop for 2000 miles (3200 km) during its migration. Culturally, in many parts of Britain, it’s known as the ‘brake bird’ or ‘brake chicken’.
6. Diet: The Ruddy Turnstone’s habit of ‘turning stones’ may give you a hint at its diet: this bird loves invertebrates found in the intertidal zone. From crustaceans to insects and mollusks, it consumes it all. On occasion, seeds and berries also make up a part of its diet.
7. Behavior & Sounds: These birds are best known for their ‘bobbing’ movement while walking. Their calls comprise of a hard, rattling ‘tuck-urr-urr’, with a rapid, rolling trill, especially when in flight.
8. Conservation Status: According to the IUCN Red List, the Ruddy Turnstone is currently of ‘Least Concern’. However, its survival is threatened by the destruction of its natural habitats due to human activities.
9. Lifespan: On average, Ruddy Turnstones live about nine years, but individuals have been known to live up to 19 years.
10. Additional Notes: In other languages, the Ruddy Turnstone is known as Vuelvepiedras Común (Spanish), Tournepierre à collier (French), and Steenloper (Dutch). Its ability to adapt to different environments, long migratory routes, and wide distribution make it a vital distributor of nutrients and seeds across ecosystems. The Ruddy Turnstones are generally wary of humans but are known to show curiosity, often seen pecking at shiny objects, including jewelry worn by humans. Despite its fairly robust population numbers, its breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra are vulnerable to climate change effects. Thus, conservation efforts are needed to ensure the population stability of this unique shorebird.
