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The Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres, is a small wading bird, one of two species of turnstone in the genus Arenaria. The other one is the Black Turnstone.

The Ruddy Turnsntone has a circumpolar distribution, and is a very long distance migrant, wintering on coasts as far south as South Africa and Australia. It is thus a common sight on coasts almost everywhere in the world.
In breeding plumage, this is a showy bird, with a black-and-white head, chestnut back, white underparts and red legs.

This is a generally tame bird and is an opportunist feeder. Unlike most waders, it will scavenge, and has a phenomenal list of recorded food items. It is named turnstone because of a feeding habit of turning over stones to look for food.

Ruddy Turnstone

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Ruddy Turnstone-00326

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Ruddy Turnstone immature-00345