Photo: Tokumi / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Ruff
Calidris pugnax
Ruff (Calidris pugnax) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Ruff (Calidris pugnax) is a member of the Scolopacidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 132 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Scolopacidae Sandpipers, Snipes
- Genus Calidris
- Species pugnax
Where it lives
Low Arctic to temperate tundra and steppe of Palearctic: northwestern Europe from Belgium and Scandinavia south through northern Ukraine, northwestern Kazakhstan, northern Mongolia to far eastern Siberia
Quick facts
- Weight
- 132 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Scolopacidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Ruff hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Ruff is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Ruff (Calidris pugnax) is a member of the Scolopacidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL low Arctic to temperate tundra and steppe of Palearctic: nw Europe from Belgium and Scandinavia s through n Ukraine, nw Kazakhstan, n Mongolia to far e Siberia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 132 g, with a wing length of about 16.4 cm and a tail of around 6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 8.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Ruff?
The Ruff is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 132 g.
Where does the Ruff live?
The Ruff is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL low Arctic to temperate tundra and steppe of Palearctic: nw Europe from Belgium and Scandinavia s through n Ukraine, nw Kazakhstan, n Mongolia to far e Siberia, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Ruff belong to?
The Ruff (Calidris pugnax) belongs to the Scolopacidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Ruff eat?
The Ruff hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Ruff migrate?
The Ruff is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Ruff endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Ruff make?
1 real field recording of the Ruff can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Ruff's range?
The Ruff has a mapped global range of about 8.6 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Scolopacidae
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
More in Shorebirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern