Hi Folks,
Things may have just gotten a lot more complex for your average birder, and this new study on Ruffs I think helps illustrate why it's important for birders to take a more active role in learning the science of ornithology and not just bird identification for checklist purposes.
A new study on Ruffs has discovered at least FOUR different sexes within the species; females, female-mimics, males and satellite males.
You can read a detailed description here: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn28493-ruff-bird-orgies-have-four-sexes-thanks-to-a-supergene-flip/
The gist is that there are at least three different genetically-determined male-type phenotypes: one that looks and acts like a female with a slight size difference, a typical appearance male, and satellite males which look like typical males except with drab colors.  
Obviously for these three different types to persist matings have to occur so that each type can pass on its genes, but there is uncertainty how these matings happen (i.e. whether the female chooses one of the males, or whether the female-mimics and satellite males are sneaking copulations while traditional males are busy displaying and fighting for territories.
It may be necessary to go back and put an asterisk next to Ruff reports where the bird was identified as a female.
Enjoy!
Casey Tucker



                                          
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