The ruddy turnstone is a small cosmopolitan wading bird, one of two species of turnstone in the genus Arenaria.
Region
Global coastal regions
Typical Environment
Breeds in the high Arctic on tundra near coasts, river deltas, and islets. Outside the breeding season it frequents rocky and mixed shorelines, sandy beaches, mudflats, coral reefs, jetties, and harbor edges. Often concentrates along wrack lines and among algae where invertebrates are abundant. During migration it can also appear inland along large lakes and river shores. Roosts on rocks, piers, and undisturbed islets near feeding areas.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The ruddy turnstone is a small, cosmopolitan shorebird famed for flipping stones, shells, and seaweed to expose prey. It undertakes long-distance migrations between Arctic breeding grounds and coastlines across the world. Breeding plumage is strikingly patterned with rufous, black, and white, and the species shows bright orange legs. Two main subspecies occur: a Palearctic form (interpres) and a Nearctic form (morinella).
In flight, non-breeding plumage, Madagascar
Breeding-plumaged adult on nest
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong direct flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often forages in small groups and forms larger mixed-species flocks on rich shorelines. On the breeding grounds pairs defend territories; both sexes incubate and tend young. Nests are shallow scrapes on open tundra with sparse vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet, giving sharp, rattling calls such as a rapid 'kit-it-it' or 'tick-rick' in flight and while foraging. On breeding grounds, soft trills and chatter are used in display and pair communication.
Plumage
Breeding adults show bold patchwork plumage: white underparts with a black breast bib and mottled black, white, and rufous upperparts; non-breeding birds are browner and more subdued above with a pale face. In flight, conspicuous black-and-white wing patterns and a white back patch stand out.
Diet
Specializes in flipping or prying stones, shells, driftwood, and seaweed to uncover small invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and worms. Also takes fish scraps, carrion, and occasionally eggs or plant material, making it an opportunistic feeder. Will scavenge around harbors and piers where human refuse is available.
Preferred Environment
Primarily feeds along intertidal zones of rocky shores, mixed pebble-sand beaches, mudflats, and wrack lines. Uses man-made structures like breakwaters and jetties and may forage on coral reef flats in tropical areas. On breeding grounds, forages along tundra pools and shorelines.
