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.

1st & 2nd photo: Madeira, Portugal, 3 November 2013
3rd & 4th photo: Isle da Tavira, Ria Formosa National Park, Algarve, Portugal, 18 November 2017
5th photo: Costa da Caparica, Setúbal, Portugal, 3 October 2021