Ruddy Turnstone Images

Ruddy Turnstone Images, Facts and Information:

Arenaria interpres

• Ruddy Turnstones are medium sized, stocky shorebirds with short dark bills, short orange legs, black and white facial patterns, white bellies and dark backs. In breeding plumage their backs and sides turn a bright reddish brown and the facial patterns become more distinct.
• Turnstones get their name because while foraging they often turn stones (or shells, seaweed on wrack lines) over to get at their prey.
• Ruddy Turnstones eat insects like midges, small mollusks, crustaceans, bird eggs when available, some vegetation during the breeding season, garbage and carrion that has washed on shore.
• Ruddy Turnstones are migratory. They breed in arctic coastal tundra habitats, particularly rocky coasts.
• Ruddy Turnstones lay 2 to 4 eggs which hatch in 21 to 23 days. Both sexes incubate and they are monogamous.
• A group of sandpipers can be called a “fling”, “hill”, “bind”, “contradiction” or a “time-step” of sandpipers.
• Ruddy Turnstone can live to be more than 16 years of age.

I hope you enjoy viewing my Ruddy Turnstone photos.