Turnstone
Ruddy Turnstone in breeding plumage
The Ruddy Turnstone ( Arenaria ) are a genus within the family of the Waders. The genus includes the turnstone and the Schwarzkopf Turnstone only two extant species, of which a circumpolar distribution type and the second is limited to the Nearctic. For the Ruddy Turnstone several subspecies are distinguished, the Schwarzkopf Ruddy Turnstone, however, is monotypic.
Appearance
The occurring in Central Europe Turnstone reaches a body length of 22-24 centimeters. The wingspan of 45-56 cm and weight is in the range 80 to 190 grams. The Schwarzkopf Ruddy Turnstone is almost the same size and reaches a body length of 22-25 centimeters. The wingspan is 50 to 55 centimeters. The weight varies between 100 and 140 grams.
The legs are unusually short in both species in relation to body size for a Regenpfeiferartigen. The shape affects overall stocky. In breeding plumage the male of the stone tome on the body top is bright patterned maroon and black. The head and underparts are white with a black penciling on the crown and a black, irregular markings on the cheeks, sides of the neck and on the chest. The female is colored overall somewhat duller and has a rahmfarbenen spot in the neck on. The chest is drawing in the female less luminous. The Schwarzkopf Ruddy Turnstone is less colorful than the Ruddy Turnstone. He has in breeding plumage a black head with a very fine penciling on the upper head and the neck. It is striking, especially the white spot at the base bill. The beak is black and the iris is dark brown. The throat and breast are black, single springs, however, are lined with white, so that they act spotted densely white. The body underside is white, only the upper flanks have a chest in a similar color. The back, the trunk and the upper tail-coverts are white, the tail is black.
The simplicity of the dress Schwarzkopf Ruddy Turnstone is colored similarly to the plumage, but the fine white mottling is significantly reduced and lacks especially the white spot at the base bill. When turnstone in breeding plumage lacks the strong red-brown and black colors. The head, the body top and chest are then gray -brown with a much less pronounced blackish mottling.
Dissemination
The distribution area of the stone tome extends to the north over Eurasia into the Arctic North America and Greenland. It breeds in part hocharktisch until 83 degrees north latitude (Greenland) and 80 degrees north latitude on Svalbard. The Schwarzkopf Ruddy Turnstone is found only in western and southern Alaska. He prefers a habitat rockier coasts as the Ruddy Turnstone.
Both species are long- distance migrants. The Schwarzkopf Turnstone holds on during the winter months on the west coast of the United States and Baja California. The winter quarters of the stone tome lying on the coasts of Western Europe, on the shores of the Baltic States and to the east of the Mediterranean, in the Middle East and on the coasts of the Indian Ocean to South Africa. Among the most important wintering areas of the stone tome include the Wadden Sea to the North Sea, the Rhine- Meuse delta, the Belgian coast, the bay of Goulven in the north- west of Brittany, the Ile de Ré, the coast of the Isle of Thanet, the east of Sanday, Morecambe Bay and the Bay of Morlaix.
Way of life
The two species differ slightly in their diet. Both feed on invertebrates, the Ruddy Turnstone but mussels and crustaceans play a greater role. The Schwarzkopf Turnstone occasionally eats the eggs of smaller birds.
In both species the nest is a shallow depression that is designed with some plant material. The clutch consists of two to four eggs. The incubation period is 20 to 22 days at Schwarzkopf Turnstone slightly shorter than the Ruddy Turnstone. In both species, both parental birds involved in breeding. The young birds of the stone tome are already fledged with 19 to 21 days, the young birds of the Black stone head runner until 25 to 30 days.