Ruff male displaying on Varanger Peninsula in Norway
© Winfried Wisniewski/Minden Picture
Ruff and ready. Making it work – in Norway
Springtime is high-fashion season for the ruff. In wetlands across northern Europe and Asia, these medium-sized waders gather in the marsh to form leks, which are small breeding areas used for courtship displays. Dominant males, also called independents, like the fancy fellow on our homepage, fluff up their coloured and intricately patterned capes and collars and mock fight with each other. Their aim? Each wants to secure a prime spot on the lek to showcase his finery and entice watching females to choose him as a mate.
Related Images
Balsamroot and lupines, Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington, USA
Balsamroot wildflowers bloom below the Teton Mountains in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
Peloton during the 2018 Tour de France in Valence, France
European honeybees in Sheffield, England
Sunflower
An indigo bunting on a sunflower
Little owl (Athene noctua) perched on sunflower, Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain
Field of sunflowers, Ukraine's national flower
Bing Today Images
Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario, Canada
Apr 26, 2025
Great horned owl fledglings
Apr 26, 2023
Sunrise over The Deep aquarium in Hull, England
Apr 26, 2018
Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy
Apr 26, 2017
