Scientific Name: Arenaria interpres
Malay Name: Kedidi-Kerikil Merah
Chinese Name: 翻石鹬
Range: Breeds in Europe, Asia and North America. Extensive wordwide distribution in non-breeding season.
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: interpres, morinella.
Local Subspecies: interpres
Size: 21-24 cm
Identification: A rather distinctive smallish, stocky shorebird with a short stout wedge-shaped blackish bill. It has short orange legs and feet. In breeding plumage it has reddish-brown upperparts and bold black-and-white pattern on head and neck. Nonbreeding and juveniles are duller brown but still boldly patterned, with black mottling and a dark head with little white.
Habitat: Winters on coastlines. Prefers rocky and stony habitats, but also seen on beaches and mudflats.
Behaviour/Ecology: LIkes to flip over rocks, shells, seaweed and other debris to catch invertebrates. Also observed digging holes for food, and scavenging as well.
Local Status: Uncommon migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)
Location: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Mandai Mudflat, Seletar Dam, Chek Jawa at Pulau Ubin.
Featured reports: Mar 2022, Apr 2022, Sep 2022, Oct 2022, Nov 2022, Dec 2022, Jan 2023, Feb 2023, Mar 2023, Apr 2023
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Ruddy Turnstone)
References:
BirdLife International. (2019). Arenaria interpres. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22693336A154669637.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Ruddy Turnstone. Retrieved on June 5, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/ruddy-turnstone.