photo by Phil Swanson

Arenaria interpres
L 9 1/2″(24 cm).

Song or calls:
Low-pitched guttural rattle, and low “cut-cut-cut.”

Description: Sexes similar. Very colorful; breeding adults have striking black-and-white head and bib pattern, a black-and-chestnut back, white belly, and orange legs. Female is a duller version of the male. Winter birds lack the color but retain the bib pattern and orange legs. Juvenile resembles winter adult.

Behavior: Distinctive feeding behavior of turning over shoreline debris and rocks to get at food gives the bird its common name.

Habitat: Migrating birds can be found on mudflats, shallow ponds, and ploughed fields.

Where in Nebraska: Occasional to rare spring migrant in eastern part of state. Rarely seen during the fall in Nebraska. Rare casual fall migrant statewide.

Fun Facts: Ruddy Turnstones get their name from their feeding behavior of turning over stones and other objects to look for insects. Females migrate before young fledge.

 
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