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Species › Birds

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

Order
Charadriiformes
Family
Scolopacidae
Presence in the Strait
Seasonal
Abundance
common
Protection in Spain
Special protection (List)
In Spanish
Vuelvepiedras común

Marine taxonomy: validated in WoRMS, AphiaID 147431

Photograph: Original: neekoh.fi; this edit: MPF, CC BY 2.0, vía Wikimedia Commons

Length
21–24 cm
Wingspan
44–49 cm
Weight
120 g
0204060LENGTH21–24 cmWINGSPAN44–49 cmcentimetres

Presence in the Strait

Common winter visitor to coastal regions (<250) and an occasional summer visitor.

Identification

Medium-sized shorebird, unmistakable on account of its characteristic black and white head markings. Breeding plumage with reddish back, more grey-brown in winter. In flight, displays a unique pattern of white markings. Short, conical bill which it uses to turn over stones and shells in its search for food.

Movements

Peaks in 2nd hf. April and 1st hf. September.

Ring recoveries

United Kingdom (2), Finland (2), Estonia (1) and Norway (1).

Bioestrecho editorial text. Last revised: 8 September 2026.

Gallery

Photographs from iNaturalist observations with the licence checked file by file. Those marked “Strait” were taken within the area; place and date are those of each observation.