'Akekeke Turning stones for grubs, Clear rattle or soft whistles, Top brown, bottom white. Ruddy Turnstone

'Akekeke, Ruddy Turnstone, is a small robust shorebird. The adult has a brown and gray head. Its underpart is white, its white chest has a brown bib that has a white stripe up the middle. There are few differences between the male and the female's plumage color, although the male is brighter in color. The male has more white on its head and is deeper black on its body. The female's crown is more streaked than the male's. The Ruddy Turnstone is 7 inches long and stands 9 inches tall, with a wingspan of 2 feet. It has yellow legs and a short pointed bill, giving the bird a squat look.

'Akekeke, Ruddy Turnstone, are winter migratory shorebirds that fly from their Arctic nesting grounds to Hawaii in August and September. The "Akekeke" is named in Hawaiian for its call, a quickly repeating trilling sound.

In Hawaiian legends, the 'Akekeke appears as a messenger of the gods along with the Kolea and the 'Ulili. They were sent on important missions across the sea. In the legend of Princess Paliuli, Prince Aiwohi tries to destroy the Princess and steal her area of Lai'e. The 'Akekeke is sent as a scout and messenger to protect Princess Paliuli.