male summer

male summer male variant head European distribution female

Identification

Ruffs are taller and leggier than Dunlins, the males being about the size of a Redshank, the females, known as Reeves, being Wood Sandpiper-sized. In all plumages they look rather fat-bodied but small-headed and short-billed, and their upperparts are usually well-patterned with brown and buff. The juveniles show an immaculate scaly pattern above. Ruff leg colours vary, so don't be surprised to find one with legs as red as a Redshank. And look out for birds showing signs of summer plumage, especially white-headed, white-chested males looking quite unlike anything in most bird books. In flight they look relatively long-winged with a narrow pale wing bar but striking white oval patches in the sides of the tail.

Habitat

Breeds in grassy fields. Winters on estuaries and marshes.

Behaviour

In spring, Ruffs throw spectacular parties, usually at dawn. All the males turn up at the chosen place in outrageous fancy-dress costumes of red, black, orange and even white. Then they pose, posture and bow, jump in the air in excited dances and sometimes even fight each other. Females arrive and watch carefully before deciding which one they will mate with.

Migration

The species is migratory, with the majority of birds wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. Smaller numbers also winter in south and western Europe. In both spring and autumn, males migrate earlier than females. Peaks of spring passage occur in late March (mostly males) and late April (mostly females).

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Ruff is classed as Common: common species, including species that are certain or probable escapees from captivity when occurring in the British Isles. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincs 01/09/2010	Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincs 01/09/2010	Cley, Norfolk 31/08/2010	Oare Marshes, Kent 30/08/2010	Oare Marshes, Kent 30/08/2010
Cley, Norfolk 31/08/2010	Kelling, Norfolk 28/08/2010	Farmoor, Oxon 27/08/2010	Farmoor, Oxon 27/08/2010	Cley, Norfolk 11/08/2010

 View all pictures of Ruff

Ruff breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Belarus
Britain
Croatia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Russia
Sweden
Ukraine

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob5170.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Ruff	Edit this link
	Broken link
Recommend a new link

BirdGuides Ltd are not responsible for the content of external sites. If you find a broken link, please click the appropriate "Broken link" link above`.

	Ruff – the great pretender	Friday 18th August 2006
	Few birders will have passed through their birdwatching apprenticeship without being tricked by the humble Ruff at some stage. Russell Slack outlines the ID pitfalls.

 BirdGuides webzine