Education | Conservation | Advocacy

Facebook Instagram Youtube

Manatee County

Audubon Society

Ruddy Turnstones

Return to Bird Directory

Name

Ruddy Turnstones

Scientific Name

(Arenaria interpres)

Why they are special:
  • A small, stocky shorebird with bold black-and-white patterns, often seen flipping over shells and debris to find prey.

  • Named for its unique “turning stones” behavior, a hallmark of its foraging style.

Size and color:
  • Small sandpiper, 8–10 inches long with a wingspan of 18–21 inches.

  • Breeding adults: reddish-brown back, black-and-white face, chest, and wings.

  • Non-breeding adults: gray-brown upperparts with white underparts.

  • Short, slightly upturned orange-and-black bill; orange legs.

Seasonality in Florida:
  • Winter visitor, especially abundant along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
Habitat:
  • Sandy beaches, rocky shores, tidal flats, and jetties.

  • Often seen in flocks actively foraging, flipping shells and pebbles.
Diet:
  • Feed on invertebrates, crustaceans, insects, and small mollusks, uncovered by turning over debris.
Behavior:
  • Highly active; constantly flipping stones and debris while moving along beaches.

  • Can be seen in flocks mixing with sandpipers, plovers, and other shorebirds.
Conservation notes:
  • Populations are stable, but sensitive to habitat disturbance and pollution.

Best time to see:
  • Winter months, especially in tidal flats, sandy beaches, and rocky shorelines.

Fun Fact:
  • Ruddy Turnstones are ingenious foragers, using their bills to turn over rocks, shells, and seaweed to expose hidden prey.

MANATEE COUNTY WEATHER

More Information

Click For More Information

Latest Articles