Ruffs have a distinctive body shape that can aid identification regardless of plumage, but the breeding summer plumage is definative! although rarely seen here in their wintering range. It has a medium-sized, stocky wader with a somewhat “ill-proportioned” appearance, sometimes looking a bit lost or giving an impression they are wary of their own odd proportion.
WIth a medium-short, slightly droopy, dark bill. Its legs are medium-long, typically bright orange or reddish in adults, but can be yellowish-green, especially in juveniles.
It is a consistent winter visitor to West Malaysia but in small numbers, usually frequenting paddy field and other brackish and freshwater marshes, but occasionally found in coastal mudflats. In Seberang Perai numbers in each district should be in the tens only, not more than fifty in each district.
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/ruff-calidris-pugnax
At Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda: a migrant, usually in small numbers. It was recorded during the MNS Penang survey of October 2024 to March 2026. Look for it from August to April, in the largest numbers from October to February. See When to see shorebirds at Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda.
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