Ruff - photo by Ashley Beolens

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax). The female is called Reeve. This bird is a very common winter visitor. Found near cultivation and in wetlands and open plains of Haryana.  Identification: Size 22 cm, medium-sized shorebird, slightly de-curved short bill, white patches on sides of dark rump. Dull gray upperparts with paler feather edges, white belly, yellowish legs. Often with orange legs and dark bill with orange base.

Local names: Bagbad, Gehwala.   Order: CICONIIFORMES   Family: Tringinae