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Turnstone (Ruddy)

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Arenaria interpres

Range

They are found along coastal shores from California to South America. In the summer, they travel to the arctic to breed from Alaska to Greenland.

Habitat

They live on rocky coasts, beaches, muddy shores and tundra.

Body Traits

They are a medium-sized bird (7" long) with bright features during breeding season, but less so in their winter range. Breeding colors are orangey back and black and whit face mask. They have a medium-sized, thick, black, pointed beak that is turned up slightly. They have orangey legs.

Habits

They use their slightly upturned beak to turn over stones and things looking for food. They also push their beaks into cracks and between rocks.

Diet

They eat little creatures (invertebrates), insects, eggs and scavenge dead animals (carrion).

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Reproduction

They nest in a grassy dent on the ground. Females lay several greenish, brown eggs with spots.

Classification

Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Arenaria
Species: A. interpres

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