Ruff

Description:

The Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) is a medium-sized wading bird that breeds in marshes and wet meadows across northern Eurasia. This highly gregarious sandpiper is migratory and sometimes forms huge flocks in its winter grounds, which include southern and western Europe, Africa, southern Asia and Australia. It is usually considered to be the only member of its genus, and the Broad-billed and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are its closest relatives.

Notes:

Extreme vagrant from Eurasia / Africa to America with some consistency. Seems 1-3 reports annually for the US, with nearly all reports being female / juvenile. This is my third time to view this species in Texas. Female (Reive)