Ruff

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The ruff is a medium-sized wading bird that breeds in marshes and wet meadows across northern Eurasia. This highly gregarious sandpiper is migratory and sometimes forms huge flocks in its winter grounds, which include southern and western Europe, Africa, southern Asia and Australia.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

1. 01

   Pot-bellied shape, small head, long neck

   A heavy, compact body combined with a disproportionately small head and noticeably long neck creates a unique, often hunched profile.

2. 02

   Prominent white ovals on tail sides

   In flight, two distinct white oval patches are visible on either side of the dark central rump and tail.

3. 03

   Juvenile: Warm buff breast and flanks

   Young birds display a strong buff wash on the breast and flanks, contrasting with neatly scaled grey-brown upperparts.

4. 04

   Variable leg colour (yellow, orange, green)

   Leg colour is highly variable, ranging from bright yellowish-orange to dull pinkish, and sometimes dark greenish, especially in juveniles.