Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2022-35
| Common name: |
Ruff |
| Scientific name: | Calidris pugnax |
| Date: | 7/30/2022 |
| Time: | ~7:30 a.m. |
| Length of time observed: | 25 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Female |
| Location: | Antelope Island Causeway |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | 41.086066, -112.179543 |
| Elevation: | 4194 ft. |
| Distance to bird: | 250 yards initially, but we walked up to within 75 yards of the bird. |
| Optical equipment: | Leica Ultravid 8x42 HD, Kowa TSN-883 Prominar and Razor HD 27-60x85 |
| Weather: | 80-85 degrees, sunny |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | Medium sized shorebird, ~12 inches |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Halfway between a typical calidris sandpiper and a yellowlegs, closer to yellowlegs |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Brown overall with orangey-yellow legs |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Thin, short to medium length with a slight droop towards the end. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
At first my initial thought was Pectoral Sandpiper with the brown
upperparts at a distance (we had also just seen one a few minutes
before), but the size and shape were not quite right and the bird lacked
the distinct contrasting brown upper chest and white belly demarcation.
Shape was different, and I knew I had something interesting. After a few
minutes of viewing through my Razor (lower quality scope), Bryant helped
switch to the Kowa and we were able to observe more detailed field marks
with others. Warm brown overall, with kind of a dumpy front-heavy body
and forward leaning posture. Small headed, with a somewhat skinny and
medium length neck. Orangey-yellow legs and fluffy, floppy tertials. The
bird stretched its wings and flew a couple of times, with the distinct U
shaped pattern to rump clearly visible. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None |
| Behavior: | Foraging alongside avocets, phalaropes and peeps, slow methodical walking with intermittent jabs at food. for about 5 minutes we also watched it preen. |
| Habitat: |
Fringe of shallowly flooded mudflat (maybe 1" deep) and a large patch of Salicornia/pickleweed. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Similar in appearance to both species of yellowlegs, but warm brown upperparts, less upright posture and shorter, slightly decurved bill tip. Small head. Bill was all dark. More front heavy than yellowlegs sp. Similar size to LEYE, but much larger than peeps and phalaropes in close proximity. Legs were yellow with orangey tone. U-shaped rump visible at least 3 times. Unmistakable fluffy/floppy tertials were clearly visible, especially while preening. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Extensive experience with similar birds, this is the 4th Ruff I have seen in Utah. |
| References consulted: | Memory and other observers in the field. |
| Description from: | From memory |
| Observer: | Max Malmquist |
| Observer's address: | 2377 East Boyes Street |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Bryant Olsen, Terri Pope, Heidi Hoven, Mike Malmquist |
| Date prepared: | 8-2-2022 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist |