FACTSHEET Ruddy Turnstone FACTSHEET Ruddy Turnstone

Common Name: Ruddy Turnstone Widespread around the coast of mainland and off-shore islands of Australia, the Scientific Name: Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone is a non-breeding visitor Conservation Status: Listed as Least to Rottnest. It is a migratory bird which Concern under ICUN (2014). All Rottnest breeds in the high Artic, competing for Island’s fauna is protected under the the record of the world’s most northerly Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987. breeding shorebird. The largest numbers occur on the Island in spring or summer and Habitat: Wetlands, Coastal Habitat some of the immature birds stay all year Body length: 21-24 cm round. Its feeds on shores covered with Weight: 100-170 g stones or weed.

Gestation period: 24 days The Ruddy Turnstone forages by flipping over stones and debris with its robust bill Number of young: 1-4 (4 eggs) and catching the prey hiding underneath. The distinct feeding technique and Description: appearance of the Ruddy Turnstone makes The Ruddy Turnstone has a black bill, short this bird easy to spot. orange legs, a tubby shape and a distinctive tortoiseshell pattern on its feathers. Its Diet: upper surfaces are dark brown and its chest Saltwater mussels, barnacles, amphipods has broad black band across it. This bird has like sand fleas, beetles, flies, larvae, slaters, a white throat, and white lower surfaces. spiders, other invertebrates, plant material.

1 wildlife In the Wild: Threats: The edges of the Salt Lakes are its • Pest birds preferred feeding areas, particularly the • Climate change causing habitat change shores of Government House Lake, • Wetland destruction Herschell Lake and Serpentine Lake. • Hunting • Uncontrolled fire These birds also visit most of the beaches and exposed reefs around Island to forage. DID YOU KNOW? Rottnest is an important conservation site The Ruddy Turnstone’s foraging technique for these birds as it has lots more suitable gives it its name because turning stones is feeding sites than the mainland. exactly what it does, turns stone over.

The Ruddy Turnstone is a migratory bird which breeds in the high Artic

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