One of the few bird species having different names, the female is called a reeve and the male is a ruff. They are an abundantly common non-breeding Palaearctic migrant from August to April.
Found on estuaries, most inland waters, moist grasslands, and occasionally seashores. Gregarious in flocks of five to 25 birds, the flocks may be of one sex or mixed. The females outnumber the males by about seven to one. Most males may spend summer further north.
They forage both day and night by wading quickly in shallow water or walking in short grass. Picking up food from the surface or probing into mud with their bill, they may submerge their head in water. Food preference is molluscs, crustaceans, insects, worms, seeds, berries and fallen grain.
These birds are usually silent, but rarely in flight. They have a tu – wit grunt. Flight is strong and fast. When landing, the body is almost vertical, and they stand upright when alarmed. Breeding is extra-limital.
No tribal name and in Afrikaans known as die kemphaan.
