Ruff

Introduction: Ruffs (Philomachus pugnax) are common waders found in a number of habitats including shallow pools and ditches, muddy estuaries, ephemeral pans, dams, sewage works and vleis. Found in small groups and flocks, roosting in their thousands at night is not uncommon, usually in shallow water or on wet mud with other sandpipers. They are rarely observed on open coastal locations.

Distribution: Widespread in Namibia but absent from dry, mountainous and well-wooded areas. Found in Etosha National Park, coastal Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay and southern Namib Desert coastal locations.

Diet: Wades in shallow water to catch insects and forages in deep mud shrimps and aquatic insects. Eats grasshoppers, crickets, earwigs, spiders, crabs, small frogs, fish, plant material and will drink water.

Description: Small head, long straightish bill and acquires ornamental plumes on the head and breast ( ruff). Pugnax is 'combative or fond of fighting'.

Breeding: Extralimital.

Size: 30cm.

Weight: 170g.