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Size
Male 29 cm to 170 g Female 23 cm 100 cm
Description
Male birds are very conspicuous in breeding plumage with conspicuous ear tufts and distinct neck "Ruff" The coploure of neck and rogh varies greatly from Chestnut to black to white. The face is bare and legs are pale. Males undertake conspicuous "mock" fighting or "leq" displays.
IMAGES WITH THANKS TO SU TRANTER (c)
Habitat
Damp meadows with short grass, wet bogs and heaths, dwarf scrub tundra on migration mudflats
Diet
Insects, molluscs small crustaceans worms.
What does it sound like?
Loud 'chack chack' calls; a chuckling song
When does it Breed ?
In Britain Jan - Dec but rarely breeds, elsewhere , May to July , 4 eggs, Incubation 20 - 22days , young fledging at 25 days, Nests on grounds.
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