# Ruff (*Calidris pugnax*) The Ruff is a special bird known for its colorful feathers and fancy dances during mating season. They are often seen in wetlands and are great at blending in with their surroundings. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Pugnax, Ruffe ![Ruff](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Philomachus_pugnaxRuffKampfl%C3%A4ufer.JPG&width=800) Photo: Wald1siedel, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Philomachus_pugnaxRuffKampfl%C3%A4ufer.JPG) ## Appearance The Ruff has highly variable breeding plumage, with males displaying a spectacular collar-like ruff and ear tufts in colors ranging from black, white, rufous, to barred patterns. Females are plainer, mottled brown with paler undersides. This striking difference makes breeding males visually distinct from almost any other shorebird. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Scolopacidae - **Genus:** Calidris ## Interesting facts - A Ruff's amazing long migration means it can experience summer at both ends of the world! - Female Ruffs raise their chicks all by themselves, building nests in hidden grassy spots! - No two male Ruffs look exactly alike during breeding season; their ruffs are like unique fingerprints! - Some male Ruffs mimic females to sneak past territorial males and find a mate! ## Special abilities - **Ruff Rhapsody:** Ruff males can have incredibly diverse feather patterns and mating behaviors, helping them attract mates in unique ways. - **Global Traveler:** Ruff has powerful wings and stamina for long migrations, helping them fly thousands of kilometers between continents. - **Mud Detective:** Ruff can probe marshy ground with its sensitive beak, helping it find hidden insects and worms for food. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-32 cm - **Wingspan:** 54-60 cm - **Weight:** 0.07-0.23 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-4 - **Incubation:** 20-23 days - **Migration Distance:** 10000 km ## Diet & Feeding The Ruff is an omnivore, mostly eating insects and plant matter found in muddy wetlands. - **Primary Foods:** Insect larvae, Beetles, Earthworms, Small crustaceans, Seeds, Plant material - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Peregrine Falcon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peregrine-falcon) (*Falco peregrinus*) — A swift predator that preys on migrating Ruffs. - **Eaten by:** [Arctic Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-fox) (*Vulpes lagopus*) — Preys on Ruff eggs and chicks in breeding grounds. - **Eats:** Common Lake Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Ruffs forage for the larvae of these midges in mud. - **Eats:** Great Diving Beetle (*Dytiscus marginalis*) — Ruffs consume larvae and adult diving beetles. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ruff? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Ruff? 20-32 cm ### What is Ruff's wingspan? 54-60 cm ### How much does Ruff weigh? 0.07-0.23 kg ### How long does Ruff live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Ruff move? 70 km/h ### What does Ruff eat? The Ruff is an omnivore, mostly eating insects and plant matter found in muddy wetlands. ### Where is Ruff usually found? Wetlands ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Ruff: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruff)