Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Ruff (Calidris pugnax), male
Ruff, Male

Ruff

Calidris pugnax

The Ruff, Calidris pugnax, is a medium-sized wading bird known for its remarkable breeding plumage and sexual dimorphism. Males, significantly larger than females, boast ornate ruffs and head tufts in a variety of colors during the breeding season. Females, referred to as "reeves," are more subdued in coloration. The species exhibits a pot-bellied profile, with a small head and long neck, and displays a distinctive flight pattern with a slow wingbeat.

Identification Tips

In breeding plumage, males are unmistakable with their bright ruffs and head tufts, which can be black, chestnut, or white. Females and non-breeding males are more cryptic, with grey-brown upperparts and mainly white underparts. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but have a buff tinge to their plumage. The ruff's long legs vary in color from greenish in juveniles to pink or orange in adults.

Habitat

Ruffs breed in marshes and wet meadows across northern Eurasia. They prefer hummocky marshes and deltas with shallow water for feeding and dry areas with sedge or low scrub for nesting.

Distribution

This migratory species breeds from Scandinavia and Great Britain to the Pacific, with the largest numbers in Russia and Scandinavia. In winter, they are found in southern and western Europe, Africa, southern Asia, and parts of Australia.

Behaviour

Ruffs are highly gregarious, especially during migration when they form large flocks. Males display at leks, with territorial males occupying small areas and satellite males attempting to mate within these territories. A third, rare male type mimics females to gain mating opportunities.

Song & Calls

The ruff is generally silent, but during display, a soft "gue-gue-gue" may be heard.

Breeding

Females lay four eggs in a well-hidden ground nest and incubate them alone. Chicks are mobile soon after hatching and are reared solely by the female. Males leave the breeding grounds early in the season.

Similar Species

Juvenile sharp-tailed sandpipers and buff-breasted sandpipers can be confused with juvenile ruffs but differ in size, shape, and plumage details.

Diet and Feeding

Ruffs feed on insects, especially during the breeding season, and consume plant material, including rice and maize, during migration and winter. They forage in wet grassland and soft mud, probing or searching by sight for edible items.

Conservation status

Globally, the ruff is classified as "Least Concern" due to its large breeding numbers in Scandinavia and the Arctic. However, European populations are contracting and are listed as "Near Threatened" due to habitat loss and over-hunting. The species is protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Ruff Fun Facts

Did you know?
Male Ruffs have three different forms which differ in mating behaviour and appearance.

Ruffs on Birda

Sightings

More Sandpipers, Snipes

A photo of a Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.