Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

The Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) is a small wading bird. It is a highly migratory bird, breeding in northern parts of Eurasia and North America and flying south to winter on coastlines almost worldwide. It is the only species of turnstone in much of its range and is often known simply as Turnstone. These specimens were filmed on the Algarve coast of Albufeira, Portugal.
The turnstone is a fairly small and stocky bird, 22-24 centimetres long with a wingspan of 50-57 centimetres and a weight of 85-150 grams. The dark, wedge-shaped bill is 2-2.5 centimetres long and slightly upturned. The legs are fairly short at 3.5 centimetres and are bright orange. At all seasons, the plumage is dominated by a harlequin-like pattern of black and white. The head is mainly white with black streaks on the crown and a black pattern on the face. The breast is mainly black apart from a white patch on the sides. The rest of the underparts are white. In flight it reveals a white wingbar, white patch near the base of the wing and white lower back, rump and tail with dark bands on the uppertail-coverts and near the tip of the tail. The female is slightly duller than the male and has a browner head with more streaking.
The Ruddy Turnstone has a varied diet including 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 behaviour is the origin of the name "turnstone". It usually forages in flocks.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Arenaria
• interpres
• Ruddy
• turnstone
• steenloper
• Steinwälzer
• tournepierre
• collier
• Albufeira
• Portugal

[tiashep]

is it a juvenile?

[MariaJBogaerts]

Hi "tiashep"

I really don't know. I am not a real bird watcher, but love to film in nature. Someone helped me to identify the bird, which of course immediately drew my attention by his weird way of rolling the porcupine.

[ThePetervan]

À turnstone for sure Thank you. Spotter 'him' in schiermonnikoog Islnd THE Netherlnds

[yilmaztekin51]

çok güzel...