Ruff
Calidris pugnax
The Ruff is a medium-sized wading bird that can be seen in Britain during its migration periods, typically in wet meadows and marshes, with the majority of sightings occurring in the spring and autumn. It is a rare but regular visitor to Britain, with most records coming from the eastern and southern coasts.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Ruff in the field.
The Ruff can be identified by its distinctive black to dark brown breast patches, long neck, and medium-length black bill, as well as its mottled brown back and wings.
The Ruff is slightly larger than a Redshank, but smaller than a Lapwing.
The male Ruff has a highly variable plumage, with a breeding season display of elaborate feathers on the head, neck, and breast, which can be black, white, or a combination of colours, while in winter it has a more subdued grey-brown plumage.
The female Ruff, or Reeve, has a more subdued plumage than the male, lacking the elaborate breeding season feathers, and is generally similar to the male's winter plumage.
The Ruff has a distinctive call, a sharp, repetitive "tu-tu-tu" or "chuff-chuff-chuff" sound, often heard during migration and breeding seasons.
The Ruff is a gregarious species that feeds on small invertebrates, such as insects and crustaceans, in wet meadows and marshes, and is known for its rapid, erratic flight style when disturbed.
The Ruff can be confused with other medium-sized wading birds, such as the Redshank and the Curlew, but can be distinguished by its distinctive black to dark brown breast patches and shorter bill.
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