In the spring the friendly "Ringnecks" trip our beaches for a few days and are gone. From August to October generally they can be seen, perhaps in company with Sandpipers or in flocks of their own kind. They are so fat and lazy that I have thrown my hat over more than one dozing in the September sun on the shore of a "back beach" pool.
Not long ago this dainty little brown and white "tripper" of the sands was considered a Game Bird — but not today! There are more awing than abag and 'tis well. I cannot find many memory records of Ringnecks sighted along the gun barrel. It may be the sins of omission we regret but not in this case.
Bent says the courtship song is usually given from the ground. The notes are at first slow but tempo increases until they almost run together, while the birds crouch with wings, tail and feathers expanded. Sometimes they pursue each other awing, or two will walk thus puffed up, side by side, as if doing a cake walk and clucking time to the dance.
North and South America.