Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

OTHER NAMES: Turnstone

Latin Etymology: Arenaria ("relating to sand") interpres ("messenger")  

Adult Ruddy Turnstone (subspecies A. i. interpres) in Winter plumage at Whitstable, Kent - March 2011

Featured Subspecies: Arenaria interpres interpres

Weight: 84-190g  /  Length: 21-26cm  /  Wingspan: 50-57cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Although technically a winter migrant, the turnstone can be found throughout the year. The summer plumage is quite striking, with chestnut, black and white markings. The winter plumage is a bit more drab, but still unusual enough to make it one of the easiest to identify shorebirds. Bold by shorebird standards, and often found in harbours, the turnstone should be one of the easiest birds to photograph if you visit the coast.  They are also notable for eating just about anything, and indeed are probably the only wader to have properly adapted to urban life in the UK - scavenging for crumbs in coastal towns.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Arenaria
Subspecies: A. i. interpres, A. i. morinella

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A locally common resident (51,000 birds)

 - Birds seen commonly at a large number of sites including but not limited to Trevose Head, Herne Bay, Seahouses, Reculver and Whitstable. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto