In all seasons, the plumage of the Ruddy Turnstone is dominated by a harlequin-like pattern of black and white.
Breeding birds have reddish-brown upper parts with black markings.
Non-breeding adults are duller than breeding birds and have dark grey-brown upperparts with black mottling and a dark head with little white. 
Juvenile birds have a pale brown head and pale fringes to the upperpart feathers creating a scaly impression.

Monterey, California, USA, 9 September 2007