THE ruddy turnstone is a common non-breeding, Palaeartic migrant which is regularly seen on South Coast beaches and estuaries, as well as along the entire South African coastline.
They breed in Holarctic regions at higher latitudes, migrating to southern parts of the Northern hemisphere and to the Southern hemisphere for our summer.
The non-breeding immatures remaining here for winter. This bird is usually found in small flocks of up to 20 birds.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq4vLDLBMha/
The turnstones favour rocky marine shores, tidal reefs and mudflats. When foraging on shore and wave-washed rocks, they turn over stones, seaweed, shells and other objects, hence their name. They walk with short, quick steps, turning busily from side to side and when flushed, fly low and strongly, calling with a sharp, staccato ‘kit – it – it – it – it’.
LISTEN:
https://youtu.be/A3wVd2BQ-tw
Crustaceans, molluscs, worms and insects are their preferred food. Breeding is extralimital, there is no tribal name and in Afrikaans they are called steenlopers.
WATCH:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpxLf0PAGK9/
