Definition of ruff

The word "ruff" originated from the Middle English word "rupp" which meant a "tuft" or "mass" of feathers around the neck of a bird. This word ultimately derived from the Old French "rupe" which itself originated from the Latin "ruptus," meaning "broken off" or "torn." In the context of bird anatomy, the ruff is a characteristic feature of some male birds during breeding season. The ruff is actually a neck ring made of smaller feathers that can be inflated or deflated to various degrees as a way for the males to display to potential mates. The specific types of birds that have prominent ruffs include some species of ducks, geese, and shorebirds, such as the Eurasian ruff, which is the type of bird that gives the feature its common name. The Eurasian ruff is a wader bird that breeds in meadows and wetlands of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and grows a noticeable, collar-like ruff for mating season that can be Ward's longest plume in the world when fully expanded. So, the next time you see a picture of a dashing adult male bird strutting around with a whimsical neck feather decoration, you'll know that you're seeing a bird with a ruff!