
Ruddy Turnstone
The mottled pattern was likened to a Kyoto woman wearing a kimono.
Scientific name | Arenaria interpres |
English name | Ruddy Turnstone |
Japanese name | 京女鷸 |
Classification | Aves |
Classification details | Charadriiformes Scolopacidae |
Full length | about 24cm |
Distribution | Comes all over Japan as a migratory bird. |
Characteristics
A sandpiper with a distinctive mottled pattern on its summer plumage. The brown and black mottled pattern on the back was likened to Kyoto women's kimono. Although it belongs to the shorebird family, it has a short beak and legs. The legs are reddish orange. Juvenile birds are dark brown overall compared to adults.
They come to Japan as migratory birds in spring and autumn, and some overwinter in the Nansei Islands. It moves in groups of several to several dozen birds and uses its beak skillfully to forage.
Ecology
It inhabits waterfronts such as sandy beaches and rivers, and looks for food such as insects and crustaceans by flipping pebbles and seaweed with its beak. The English name "Ruddy Turnstone" comes from the habit of turning stones over. It is also known to open and eat bivalve shells.
It builds a nest on the ground in the tundra zone of northern Eurasia and northern North America, lays 3 or 4 eggs and reproduces.
Habitat
Ogasawara Islands Chichijima
A juvenile bird flew to the breakwater of Futami Port on Chichijima Island in the Ogasawara Islands. It looks like it's in the process of growing back into summer plumage, and the mottled pattern on its back isn't very noticeable. Dozens of birds were walking in a flock at Hahajima Oki Port Wharf. It was drinking water from a puddle of rain. It did not take off even when approached to a certain extent, but ran away when it approached a distance of about 3m.
Pictures
Introducing a picture of Ruddy Turnstone.

Picture book

Northern Goshawk
The Japanese name comes from its bluish-gray color.......ead more.

Neoclinus okazakii
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Elegant blenny
A brown line enters the eye vertically.......ead more.

Varied Tit
orange belly and blue-gray wings.......ead more.

The Lillacine Bushbrown
Eyeballs line the edge of the back.......ead more.