Birds
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres · also called ruddy turnstones
Along a rocky jetty, a ruddy turnstone works methodically down the shoreline, flipping over stones and clumps of seaweed one after another, each overturned object revealing a small scattering of invertebrates that would otherwise have stayed completely hidden.
Overview
The ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres, is a stocky shorebird that breeds on Arctic tundra and winters along coastlines across much of the world. Its distinctive stone-flipping foraging technique and unusually broad, opportunistic diet make it one of the more behaviourally versatile shorebirds found on coastlines worldwide.
A forager that makes its own opportunities
Rather than simply searching exposed surfaces the way many shorebirds do, the ruddy turnstone actively rearranges its environment, turning over stones and debris to reveal food that would otherwise remain completely out of reach.
Status
Least Concern, though decreasing regionally — widespread across its extensive Arctic breeding and worldwide coastal wintering range.
Ruddy Turnstone: common questions
Why is it called the ruddy turnstone?
A ruddy turnstone forages by flipping over stones, shells, and clumps of seaweed with its short, stout bill to expose hidden invertebrates underneath, a distinctive stone-turning behaviour combined with its reddish-brown breeding colouration that together gave the species its common name.
Does the ruddy turnstone only eat invertebrates?
No, the ruddy turnstone will opportunistically feed on bird eggs, carrion, and even discarded human food scraps in addition to its usual diet of invertebrates found beneath stones and debris, giving it a notably broader diet than many more specialised shorebirds.
How far does the ruddy turnstone migrate?
A ruddy turnstone breeds on Arctic tundra across the far north and then migrates to winter along coastlines spanning much of the world, from temperate regions to the tropics, making it one of the more widely distributed shorebirds outside the breeding season.
Where does the ruddy turnstone live?
The ruddy turnstone breeds on Arctic tundra across the far north and spends the rest of the year on coastal habitat, including rocky shores, beaches, and jetties, across a large portion of the world.