1. Ruff Philomachus pugnax, adult, with Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca (background), Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, USA, August 4, 2005.  Note overall size and shape, with relatively small head, short slightly decurved bill and loosely held scapulars. All images were taken with a Nikon Coolpix 4500 and Zeiss Diascope 85mm, at considerable distance into the sun with heat shimmer.

2. Ruff P. pugnax, adult, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, USA, August 4, 2005. Same individual as above. Note pale surround to base of bill, whitish foreneck, rather plain-looking head, and dark-centered scapulars with pale fringes producing scaly appearance to the upperparts.

3. Ruff P. pugnax, adult, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, USA, August 4, 2005.

4. Ruff P. pugnax, adult, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, USA, August 4, 2005. Note the rather bright orange legs and dark breast sides contrasting with the white foreneck.

5. Ruff P. pugnax, adult, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, USA, August 4, 2005.

6. Ruff P. pugnax, adult, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, USA, August 4, 2005.

7. Ruff P. pugnax, adult, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, USA, August 4, 2005. Note the dark tail and white sides to the rump.

8. Ruff P. pugnax, adult, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, USA, August 4, 2005.

Update August 2006: This record was accepted by the Virginia Avian Records Committee (VARCOM) as a categroy one sighting (highest level of acceptance). Susan Heath (VARCOM Secretary) writes that "This is the first Coastal Plain record for this species since it was added back onto the review list in January 2004".

Compare with images of another Ruff from California:

Ruff, Fremont, Alameda County, California, USA, March 4, 2001

 © Stephen J. Davies