Sanctuary | Photo Feature
Dr. Raju KasambeThe Ruff
Calidris pugnax is a medium-sized wading bird in the family Scolopacidae. It is highly gregarious and is seen in large fl ocks in its winter grounds, including
India. The Ruff generally forages on soft mud using a steady walk-and-peck action, probing or searching food including the larvae of insects and plant
matter. Sometimes, it does wade deep into the water with its head submerged. An interesting adaption allows the bird to detect prey using the sensory
nerve endings on its bill tip. It further opens just the fl exible tip of the bill, sucking the food in like a straw.