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Birds of Hulē‘ia

Ruddy Turnstone / Arenaria interpres  / ‘Akekeke

Description The ‘akekeke is a dramatically-colored blotchy shorebird of medium size. It has short, yellow-orange legs and a stocky build. The short, pointy bill is black and very strong. Adults are 9 inches in length (bill tip to tail). In the winter, its color patterns are variable – not every bird looks the same. Compared with the kolea, the ‘akekeke has a more complex pattern of black and white stripes on the chest, head, and shoulders, and does not have a black belly. The nonbreeding plumage is brown and gray but by summer, the dramatic change in coloration is easy to spot!

Ruddy turnstone - Photo credit © Tom Dove

Population

Information not available.

Habitat

‘Akekeke can commonly be seen in the mudflats or near the shoreline as well as in the fields at the refuge.

Feeding Habits

‘Akekeke eat a variety of items throughout the year using their ingenuity. During the winter, they get their insect and crustacean food from shorelines, mudflats, and fields, often turning over rocks, shells and marine debris to find the food beneath – hence their common name of turnstone. They use their bills as shovels to dig into the mud for crabs, clams, and mussels. They will often eat carrion and eggs of seabirds like curlews. However, during the breeding season they eat mostly flies!

Breeding

‘Akekeke are territorial birds like most shorebirds. Males typically will defend the area in which they will mate with a female and brood their young. The courtship rituals between a male and a female include ground and aerial displays. These birds are monogamous and remain with the same mate for the entire breeding season. They will make a depression in the ground to form a nest; nearby vegetation is used to line the nest cup. Often, the nest is close to a stream, pond or lake. They lay 3 to 4 olive green eggs that are incubated by both parents for 21-24 days. When all are hatched, the entire family moves to areas with food resources. The females are the first to leave and the males take care of the young until they fledge three weeks later.

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