Common Name: Ruddy Turnstone

Distribution: Worldwide. Coastal areas of mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Ecological Notes: Observed along the shores of saltwater lakes, coastal bays, inlets and intertidal shorelines. The Ruddy Turnstone’s diet includes invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, molluscs and worms, as well as carrion, eggs and plant material.

Additional Notes: This species can be observed flipping over stones and other objects to get at prey items hiding underneath; this behaviour is the origin of the name “turnstone”. It usually forages in flocks.

References: Atlas of Living Australia at Ruddy Turnstone Accessed 29 July 2020.
eBird Australia at https://ebird.org/australia/species/rudtur Accessed 13 August 2023.