Seen in all months of the year, but primarily a passage migrant and winter visitor. Males are much larger than females, and in spring males can range from black to white to red in colour, with a collar of 'ruffed' up feathers around the neck. Female are always brown. Unlike many wading birds, the Ruff is typically a quiet bird. It groups together in large flocks which, when disturbed, wheel around in the sky above the short grassy fields where it feeds.
