Alviso Ruff

East of the railroad tracks, north of the road leading to the Environmental Education Center this male Ruff in intermediate plumage was foraging in New Chicago Marsh along with a few Dowitchers and Wilson's Phalaropes.

- Overall: Looks kind of like a Yellowlegs, but with a shorter bill. Black on stomach reminiscent of Dunlin. Body thinner than nearby Dowitchers, but more plump than the Wilson's Phalaropes nearby.
Bill: black near tip, dark reddish towards base. Straight.

Face: Partial (split?) eye-ring. White around base of bill. Darker on top of head. Neck grayish

Back: many feathers have beautiful pattern of reddish-brown in center, with a thick border of black and outermost a thin white border. Towards the neck two or three largeish rusty brown feathers

Belly: many black feathers, but with gaps showing white in between. More black nearer wings, but at least a few across the front to form a band across belly

Tail kind of curves up at the end. He never showed his rump for me

Undertail coverts pure white

Legs: Pale gray or tan