The Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) is a small wading bird, one of two species of turnstone in the genus Arenaria.

Taxonomy:

It is now classified in the sandpiper family Scolopacidae but was formerly sometimes placed in the plover family Charadriidae.

 
Scientific classification :

Kingdom:       Animalia

Phylum:           Chordata

Class:             Aves

Order:             Charadriiformes

Family:            Scolopacidae

Genus:            Arenaria

Species:         A. interpres

Sub Species:  Arenaria interpres interpres

 
       Arenaria interpres morinella  

Binomial name Arenaria interpres (Linnaeus, 1758)

Distribution:

They breed in northern latitudes, usually no more than a few kilometres from the sea. The subspecies A. i. morinella occurs in northern Alaska and in arctic Canada as far east as Baffin Island. A. i. interpres breeds in western Alaska, Ellesmere Island, Greenland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden , Finland, Estonia and northern Russia. It formerly bred on the Baltic coast of Germany and has possibly bred in Scotland and the Faroe Islands.

In the Americas the species winters on coastlines from Washington State and Massachusetts southwards to the southern tip of South America although it is scarce in southern parts of Chile and Argentina and is only an unconfirmed vagrant in the Falkland Islands. In Europe it winters in western regions from Iceland, Norway and Denmark southwards. Only small numbers are found on Mediterranean coasts. In Africa it is common all the way down to South Africa with good numbers on many offshore islands. In Asia it is widespread in the south with birds wintering as far north as southern China and Japan (mainly in the Ryukyu Islands). It occurs south to Tasmania and New Zealand and is present on many Pacific islands. In many parts of the wintering range, some non-breeding birds remain all year round. 

Physical Characteristics:

The Ruddy Turnstone is a stocky medium-sized wader with short orange-red legs. The bill is wedge-shaped and slightly up-tilted. The breast is distinctively marked with black or brown and pale areas, almost like tortoise shell, with a white breast. The brown upperparts turn a rich reddish-brown when breeding and the bands on the face and neck turn black. In flight there is a distinctive black and white pattern. This species is also known as Turnstone, Sea-Dotterel and Calico or Beach Bird. 
In winter plumage Turnstones are mostly dark brown on the head and upperparts and there is a distinctive curving black blob extending down either side of the breast. This contrasts distinctively with the pure white belly. In summer plumage the head becomes splendidly black and white, rich red-brown and black colours appear in the mantle.
The distinctive marking and dark and white pattern in flight make the Ruddy Turnstone unmistakeable, along with their habitat of turning over stones.

Habitat:

Breeds around rocky coasts. Winters on rocky shores and shingle beaches. The Ruddy Turnstone is found singly or in small groups along the coastline and only occasionally inland. They are mainly found on exposed rocks or reefs, often with shallow pools, and on beaches. In the north, they are found in a wider range of habitats, including mudflats. 

Diet:

Ruddy Turnstones feed busily, by probing, pecking and poking into cracks. They turn over stones and seaweed to find insects, crustaceans, molluscs and spiders. They sometimes eat eggs and carrion (dead things), feeding by day and night. Feeds mainly on insects, particularly midges, and some plant material in summer. Eats mollusks, crustaceans, and even carrion In winter; forages on seashores, turning over stones and other debris with its bill to find. 

Behavior:

Ruddy Turnstones use their strong, wedge-shaped bills to turn over rocks and seaweed, looking for small sand-hoppers or crustaceans sheltering underneath. It can survive in a wide range of habitats and climatic conditions from arctic to tropical. The typical breeding habitat is open tundra with water nearby. Outside the breeding reason, it is found along coasts, particularly on rocky or stony shores. It is often found on man-made structures such as breakwaters and jetties. It may venture onto open grassy areas near the coast. Small numbers sometimes turn up on inland wetlands, especially during the spring and autumn migrations. Birds are often faithful to particular sites, returning there year after year.

Ruddy Turnstones are fairly long-lived birds with a low annual mortality rate. They are able to breed when two years old. Their average lifespan is 9 years with 19 years and 2 months being the longest recorded.

The Ruddy Turnstone has a varied diet including carrion, eggs and plant material but it feeds mainly on invertebrates. Insects are particularly important in the breeding season. At other times it also takes crustaceans, molluscs and worms. It often flips over stones and other objects to get at prey items hiding underneath; this behavior is the origin of the name "turnstone". It usually forages in flocks.

In flight, a rapid 'trik-tuk-tuk-tuk. They are noisy and quarrelsome, with a sharp 'kittick' or rapid chuckling 'tak-a-tuk-tuk'.

Breeding:

It is a monogamous bird and pairs may remain together for more than one breeding season. The nest is a shallow scrape, often with a lining of leaves. It is about 11 centimetres across and 3 centimetres deep. It may be built amongst vegetation or on bare stony or rocky ground. Several pairs may nest close together.

A single clutch of two to five eggs is laid with four being most common. The eggs measure about 41 millimetres by 29 and weigh around 17.9 grams. They are smooth, slightly glossy and oval to pear-shaped. They are variable in colour but are commonly pale green-brown with dark brown markings, densest at the larger end. Incubation begins when the first egg is laid and lasts for about 22-24 days. The female is mainly responsible for incubating the eggs but the male may help towards the end.

The young birds are precocial and are able to leave the nest soon after hatching. They are buff above with dark grey markings and are white below. They are able to feed themselves but are protected by the parents, particularly the male. They fledge after 19-21 days.