Ruddy Turnstone photo Churchill, MB by Rudolf Koes
What does it look like?
Ruddy Turnstones are dumpy shorebirds, with short orange legs, pointy bills and a boldly marked plumage of black, white and rufous in the breeding season. Non-breeding and juvenile plumages are more subdued, consisting of brown and white. They are slightly larger than peeps such as Least Sandpiper and smaller than Killdeers.
Does it migrate?
North American birds winter from the coasts of the United States south to South America. In Manitoba birds are only found during migration, in May and June in spring and September and October in fall, with the occasional bird lingering into November.
Ruddy Turnstone Photo Churchill, MB by Rudolf Koes
Where does it live?
It is a High Arctic breeder, nesting from northern Alaska east across the Canadian Arctic Islands and also across the north of Eurasia. Nests, if they can be called that, are simple scrapes in sand and gravel near water. Small pieces of vegetation may be used to line the nest.
Where can I see it?
In the north the best place is Churchill, mainly near the mouth of the Churchill River or along Hudson Bay, both in spring and fall. In the south of the province your best chances are along the shores of Lake Manitoba, such as at Delta, or at Lake Winnipeg, where Sandy Bar IBA east of Riverton is a reliable spot.
Ruddy Turnstone photo Delta Marsh, MB by Rudolf Koes
Conservation status.
With a global population of 400,000 to 700,000 birds the species is not considered to be at risk, but habitat loss along the migration routes and on the wintering grounds may pose future threats.
Did you know?
This bird is aptly named. It uses its thin, slightly upturned bill to flip over small stones and pebbles, looking for small invertebrates that may be hiding underneath.
Written by Rudolf Koes