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, Sep 2023, Oct 2023
Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):
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
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Ruddy Turnstone. Retrieved on December 4, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/ruddy-turnstone.