Wildlife North America . com North American Animals - mamals, birds, reptiles, insects |
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Ruddy Turnstone, Pier, Rockport Beach Park, Rockport, Texas Photograph by Alan And Elaine Wilson. Some rights reserved. (view image details)
RUDDY TURNSTONE FACTS
DescriptionThe Ruddy Turnstone is a wading bird with wedge shaped bill and fairly short orange legs. The back and wings are gray brown with black mottling. The head is brownish with white streaks. The breast is black with a white patch on the sides. The belly is white. It has white wing bar and white rump which is seen in flight. The tail has dark bands on the tail coverts and near the tip. The female is similar to the male but duller, with browner head. In the breeding season the males are more reddish brown with black markings, and the head is whiter with dark streaks. Size length 22cm - 24cm. Wingspan 50cm - 57cm Environment rocky shores, tundra, sand beaches, mudflats. Food Aquatic invertebrates, insects, carrion, birds eggs. Breeding The nest is a shallow scrape in the ground, usually lined with leaves. It is placed in vegetation or on bare stony ground. Lays two to five (commonly four) pale greenish brown eggs with dark brown markings. eggs hatch after about 22 to 24 days. Range Breeds along the arctic coast from western Alaska to Greenland. Also across northern Europe and Asia. Found in winter along coasts from northern California in the west and Maine in the east, southwards along both coasts to southern South America. Classification
Relatives in same Genus Black Turnstone (A. melanocephala) Home | Mammals | Reptiles | Birds | Insects | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Us |