Soon after hatching, the female usually leaves the nesting grounds long before the young have fledged. The males stay with the chicks. During non-breeding season, the Ruddy Turnstone can be found on coasts, south of the Arctic breeding grounds, throughout the world. They also inhabit rocky shorelines, and sandy and muddy areas. Mexico, Panama, and South America are some of the places these birds use, during our winter.
Flocks fly in tight groups when moving locally, but in loose lines when migrating long distances.
Through surveys, scientists estimate that there are about 138,000 birds along the Atlantic flyway. Like other shorebirds, the Turnstone population is also declining, perhaps by one half in ten years. Reasons may include habitat loss and human disturbances.