Ruddy Turnstone

The ruddy turnstone is a small, stocky wader, 22–24cm long with a wingspan of 50–57cm and a weight of 85–150g, with a dark, wedge-shaped, slightly upturned bill and short bright orange legs. In all seasons it has a harlequin pattern of brown, black and white. Breeding birds are reddish-brown above with black markings, a mainly white head with a black face pattern and a black breast; females are duller, and winter adults dark grey-brown above. In flight it shows a bold pattern of white wing bars, back and rump (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is highly migratory, breeding in northern Eurasia and North America, usually within a few kilometres of the sea, and flying south to winter on coastlines almost worldwide. It is the only turnstone in much of its range and is often called simply the turnstone. It is now placed in the sandpiper family, though it was once sometimes grouped with the plovers (Wikipedia, general species account).