New Hampshire PBS NATUREWORKS!
Home     About     Watch     Nature Files     Teachers     Contact

Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres

Ruddy TurnstoneCharacteristics
Range
Habitat
Diet
Life Cycle
Behavior

 Classification

 Phylum: Chordata
 Class: Aves
 Order: Charadriiformes
 Family: Scolopacidae
 Genus:  Arenaria

Ruddy Turnstone

ICUN Redlist - World Status: Least ConcernLeast Concern
    Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Niels Krabbe cc logo
  Characteristics
Ruddy TurnstoneThe ruddy turnstone is a short-legged shore bird that is about 7 inches in length. It has a short, dark bill that is slightly upturned at the end and black and white markings on its head and a black patch on its chest. It legs are yellow to orange-red. In summer, its uppersides are a combination of white, rusty-red and black. In winter, it is grayish-brown above.

  Range
mapThe ruddy turnstone breeds along the coastline from western Alaska east to Greenland. The ruddy turnstone also breeds in arctic regions of Europe and Asia. It winters along the coasts from Oregon and Connecticut south to South America. It also winters on the Gulf Coast.

  Habitat
Ruddy TurnstoneDuring breeding season, the ruddy turnstone can be found on coastal tundras. In winter, it can be found in a variety of habitats near the water including  mudflats, sandbars, sandy or muddy shores, beaches and rocky coasts.

 
  Diet
Ruddy TurnstoneThe ruddy turnstone flips over rocks looking for small animals underneath them. It also digs into the sand in pursuit of crustaceans. It eats a variety of animals including small mollusks, crustaceans, grasshoppers, insects, larvae, maggots, worms, the eggs of horseshoe crabs and tern's eggs.

  Life Cycle
Ruddy TurnstoneMales and females pair off either before or after reaching their breeding ground. Nests are made in open areas near the water. The female lays 4 eggs in a grassy area. Both parents incubate the eggs. Males are very territorial and will patrol the border of the nesting site and will aggressively chase away any intruders. The chicks hatch in 22-24 days and fledge when they are 19-21 days old. Both parents care for the young. The female leaves before the chicks are fledged, and the male will stay with the chicks until they fledge.

  Behavior

Ruddy TurnstoneThe turnstone gets its name from its habit of turning over stones when it looks for food. It is also sometimes called the seaweed bird because it often feeds among the kelp at low tide. It is a good good swimmer and may spend hours bathing and preening.



Support for NatureWorks Redesign is provided by: