Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 7 inches
* Small, short-legged shorebird
* Short, dark bill is fairly thick with a slight upturn to the lower mandible
* Legs are yellow to red
* Bold wing pattern visible in flight is produced by a white wing stripe, a white lower back and white at the base of the leading edge of the wing
* White tail with black terminal band
* Sexes similar
* Juvenile is similar to basic-plumaged adults

Adult alternate:

* Striking black and white head pattern
* Rufous and black back and wings
* Black breast with enclosed white patch
* White belly

Adult basic:

* Gray-brown head and upperparts
* White throat
* Black breast with enclosed white to gray patch
* White belly
* Juvenile has pale edges to back and wing coverts

Similar species:

Black Turnstone is similar but darker in basic plumage, has an all dark chest, duller legs, and lacks any trace of rust-red back feathers. Surfbird has yellowish legs and a more uniform body plumage; white wingstripe and white tail with dark terminal band produce a less striking pattern in flight than in turnstones.