Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
Track and Watch 3
This species is one of the 'track and watch' species in the Yukon as it is rare, threatened or both. If you see this species please take a photo (if you can), note where you are and either upload it to iNaturalist or send it straight to the Conservation Data Centre (CDC) by downloading a Field Observation Form for animals or by using your own method or reporting, and sending it to us: yukoncdc@gov.yk.ca
Summary 4
A medium-sized (20-25cm/8-10in) plover, the Ruddy Turnstone in summer is most easily identified by its orange back and legs, pale breast, white head with black patches on the face and throat. In winter, this species becomes dull brown above and white below. Birds in summer plumage are unmistakable, while winter birds may be separated from other dull shorebirds by this species’ short, upturned bill. Males and females are similar to one another in all seasons.
The Ruddy Turnstone occurs throughout much of the world. In the New World, this species breeds in the high arctic of Canada, Alaska, and Greenland, wintering along the coasts of the Americas from mid-latitude North America south to southern South America. In the Old World, this species breeds along the edge of the Arctic Ocean, wintering from Europe south to South Africa and from South Asia south to Australasia and the islands of the Pacific Ocean. They breed in wet areas on the arctic tundra. In winter, this species may be found along the coast on sandy or rocky beaches.
Ruddy Turnstones primarily eat small insects during the summer months, switching to crustaceans and small fish during the winter. Due to this species’ remote breeding grounds, most birdwatchers are only familiar with them during the winter. At that time, this species is most easily seen while walking or running along the shoreline, turning over stones while foraging for food (a behavior which gave this species its name).
Sources and Credits
- (c) Isidro Vila Verde, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/86585370@N00/473835684
- (c) hjhipster, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/albertovo5/4646590020/
- (c) Yukon Conservation Data Centre, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
- Adapted by Yukon Conservation Data Centre from a work by (c) Unknown, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/22710017
More Info
Range Map
iNaturalist.ca Map
| Animal | Bird |
|---|---|
| Color | black, brown, white |
| Bird | waders |
