Calidris pugnax

Ruff - are in the family of sandpipers. They feed on the larva of terrestrial and aquatic insects such as beetles and flies, alongwith spiders worms, frogs and small fish.
This species almost became extinct in England the 1880's due to hunting. Now common in Northern England but scarce over the rest of the country. They display a chestnut red ruff collar in the breeding season although this is rarely seen in northern Europe. Often show raised feathers on the back as in these photographs. The majority of the European population winters around the Mediterranean and western Africa. I came across these birds in the Alvor Estuary in the Algarve region of Portugal during February.

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