| Ruff (Calidris pugnax (Linnaeus, 1758)) |
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Scientific name: Calidris pugnax (Linnaeus, 1758) Common name: Ruff French name: Combattant varié, Chevalier combattant. Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae Size: Body size: 21-32 cm; Wingspan: 54-58 cm; Weight: 70-150 g for females, 130-230 g for males. Habitat: Always near water, river of lake banks, mudflats, marshes, etc. Food: Insects, crustaceans, molluscs, but also seeds and algae. Nesting: Males' nuptial displays are spectacular. They erect their collars of multiple colours and simulate fights. Females choose their mating partner and then move away to nest. There can be polygamy and polygyny. Females usually lay 4 eggs in May-June, on the ground, in a nest built with dry grasses. Migration: Ruffs migrate to sub-Saharan Africa or southern Asia in winter. Geographic area: Norther tundra of Europe and Asia during the breeding season. |
Ruffs show a relatively small head compared to the body. The bill is a medium length. There is an important sexual dimorphism. Males are larger. They show, in nuptial plumage, a large collar and head tufts of erectile feathers which can vary in colour from black to violet, red or white depending on individuals. The legs are greenish yellow or dark orange. Females do not have collars nor head tufts. They show a lighter coloured chest barred with dark. The top and side feathers have a blackish centre. |
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The Basse vallée du Doubs is a wetland that is used as a stopover for many migrating birds. Here is a small flock of Ruffs taking a break in their migration towards northern regions. |
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The bird guide "Les oiseaux de Saône-et-Loire" indicates two migration waves depending on the wintering area. Birds wintering in southern Europe and northern Africa pass in February-March, those wintering in tropical Africa pass late April. I think this small flock of 6 or 7 individuals is part of this second wave of migration. |
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You can clearly see the feathers on the upper side with their blackish centre. I have not been able to shoot a better picture. I have done this observation from my car and my 300mm lens is a little too short for the distance. This picture is an important crop. |
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One Ruff, always a bit away from the group, appeared slightly different with a much darker head and neck. Is it a male who will soon take his breeding plumage? I need to make a trip, one day, to the northern regions to try to observe males in their beautiful breeding plumage. |
André Bon January 2021
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