The male Ruff is a relatively large, distinctive, Eurasian shorebird that in breeding plumage sports head tufts and neck plumes from which it gained its name. However, most Ruffs seen in Oregon are juveniles that appear as lanky, buff-colored, pot-bellied, short-billed sandpipers showing white on both sides of the rump in flight. Females are about 20 percent smaller than males and are referred to as reeves.

It is usually found on mudflats of coastal estuaries and adjoining wet meadows. The Ruff takes mostly aquatic insects, but will take crustaceans, mollusks, and some worms as well.

The Ruff is a rare fall transient and very rare spring transient, and is usually found on the coast, in Oregon. Some have been seen inland, near Sauvie Island.

Photo by Nick Goodrum, Flickr