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Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxOrder: CHARADRIIFORMESFamily: Sandpipers (Scolopacidae)

Breeding Location:

Wetlands



Breeding Type:

Promiscuous



Breeding Population:

Accidental in North America



Egg Color:

Gray green or buff with brown spots



Number of Eggs:

4



Incubation Days:

20 - 23



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Lined with grasses.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Ruff: Large sandpiper with variably-colored frilly tufts on the neck that ranges from black to rufous to white to speckled and bared. Female lacks ruff. Head is orange-brown and the belly is white. Bill is orange with dark, drooped tip. Orange-yellow legs. Low, direct flight with rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Ruff: Breeds in Eurasia; occasionally nests in northwestern Alaska. Winters mainly in Africa; rare but regular migrant to Hawaii, Alaska, and the east coast of North America. Breeds on lowland grassy wet meadows; winters on wet meadows, muddy fringes of pools and lakes, and brackish coastal lagoons.

Breeding and Nesting

Ruff: Four brown spotted, gray green or buff eggs are laid in a shallow ground depression lined with grass. Incubation ranges from 20 to 23 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Ruff: Feeds on insects, frogs, small fish, and seeds.

Vocalization

Ruff: Emits a low "tu-wit" when disturbed.

Similar Species

Ruff: Male is unmistakable; Pectoral Sandpiper is distinguished from female by cleaner breast demarcation and pale area behind eye; Buff-breasted Sandpiper is smaller than juvenile Ruff and lacks white belly.

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Family Sandpiper (Scolopacidae)_blue
Species Philomachus pugnax
Length8 - 12 Inches
Wingspan20 Inches

Ruff

Ruff: Large sandpiper with variably-colored frilly tufts on the neck that ranges from black to rufous to white to speckled and bared. Female lacks ruff. Head is orange-brown and the belly is white. Bill is orange with dark, drooped tip. Orange-yellow legs. Low, direct flight with rapid wing beats.

● Song: "tu-wit" replaced ' with "

● Foraging & Feeding: Ruff: Feeds on insects, frogs, small fish, and seeds.

● Breeding & nesting: Ruff: Four brown spotted, gray green or buff eggs are laid in a shallow ground depression lined with grass. Incubation ranges from 20 to 23 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Ruff: Male is unmistakable; Pectoral Sandpiper is distinguished from female by cleaner breast demarcation and pale area behind eye; Buff-breasted Sandpiper is smaller than juvenile Ruff and lacks white belly.

Flight Pattern

Direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Ruff Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Ruff: Breeds in Eurasia; occasionally nests in northwestern Alaska. Winters mainly in Africa; rare but regular migrant to Hawaii, Alaska, and the east coast of North America. Breeds on lowland grassy wet meadows; winters on wet meadows, muddy fringes of pools and lakes, and brackish coastal lagoons.
BreedingPromiscuous
PopulationAccidental in North America
MigrationMigratory
Weight6 Ounces