Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Ruff
Combattant varié
Calidris pugnax
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Life, Habitat & Pictures of North American Ruffs
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11" 27.9cm | 21" 53.3cm | 5 oz. 141.7g | Scolopacidae | Calidris pugnax |
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
The Ruff is a medium-size shorebird native to Eurasia. The male is a spectacular looking bird when seen in the spring. This is when it changes from a sleek looking shorebird, to having thick feathers appearing on its neck. When courting the female, the males form leks, raising their feathers and creating a much larger and aggressive looking bird. The female is called a "Reeve". These shorebirds are regular visitors to North America every year.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
