Ruff male displaying on Varanger Peninsula in Norway

Project 'ruff'-way. 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.