Ruddy Turnstone: This medium-sized sandpiper has red-brown upperparts, white rump and underparts, and a black-marked face. Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats. It is thus a common sight on coasts almost everywhere in the world. Known in North America as the 'Ruddy Turnstone', there is also a second species, the 'Black Turnstone', which lives on the Pacific coast of North America. Ruddy turnstones are one of only two turnstone species, the other being the black turnstone, which is also found in North America. In fact, they have a tough time on land since their feet are placed so far back on their body. I hope you enjoyed today’s fact on the Ruddy Duck! Many predators take more ruddy turnstone eggs and young when numbers of collared lemmings are low. Find out more about Turnstone birds. Ruddy Hi Kids, I am Ruddy Turnstone, or just ‘Ruddy’ to my friends. Its wide range of distribution ensures the safety of its population for the foreseeable future. Ruddy Turnstone in Flight. Males patrol the nesting territory and warn the female when there is a predator nearby. The female will then sneak away from the nest so that the predators can't find it. In breeding plumage, this is a showy bird, with a black-and-white head, chestnut back, white underparts and red legs. IUCN currently places the ruddy turnstone in the ‘Least Concern’ category. You can find me on the shore, in fact almost any shore on the planet: Sydney Harbour, South Pacific, Sumatra and Siberia, you name it, I'll be there every year but only for a short time. These long-distance migrants breed in the arctic tundra, but spend the off seasons on rocky shorelines and sandy beaches on both North American coasts (as well as South America, Eurasia, Africa, and Australia). Ruddy Duck Fast Fact: The ruddy duck loves the water and is one of the most aquatic ducks out there. Ruddy Turnstone Winter. Turnstones spend most of their time creeping and fluttering over rocks, picking out food from under stones. Fun Facts: As part of the courtship display, the male makes several nest-like scrapes within his territory, often close to the final site where the female makes her final nest-scrape. The Ruddy Turnstone (or just Turnstone in Europe), Arenaria interpres, has a circumpolar distribution, and is a very long distance migrant, wintering on coasts as far south as South Africa and Australia. It has a short, dark, slightly upturned bill, a white tail with a black terminal band, and orange legs and feet. Feeds on invertebrates. Interesting Facts. Carolus Linnaeus, Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist, first described the Ruddy Turnstone in 1758. A shorebird that looks almost like a calico cat, the Ruddy Turnstone's orange legs and uniquely patterned black-and-white head and chest make them easy to pick out of a crowd. Ruddy turnstones place their nests far away from others, in order to avoid being found by predators. How people can help The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a Living Seas vision, where coastal and marine wildlife thrives alongside the sustainable use of the ocean's resources. Prev Article Next Article . The wings have a unique brown, black, and white pattern visible in flight. No wonder people call me a 'migratory shorebird'. The placement of their feet helps them dive but they are not going to win any sprinting competitions anytime soon.