The species Philomachus pugnax has specific names for male and female birds. The male bird is commonly referred to as “ruff,” while the female is known as “hen ruff.” 
However, biologists often refer to both males and females collectively as ruffs.
In winter, male and female ruffs look quite similar, with the only difference being that males are slightly larger than females. The upper body is dark brown, the chest is tawny, and the underbelly is white.
But when spring arrives, the mating season for Philomachus pugnax, the usual appearance of the male birds disappears – at this time, they appear to have transformed into a different kind of bird. The males don a new, vividly colored plumage. Interestingly, male ruffs “transform” into birds with completely different colors. At this stage, it is rare to find two male ruffs with the same plumage: some are white, some are brown, others are cream, chestnut, or dark yellow, and there are those that are spotted or striped. Additionally, they sport a large ruff of feathers around their head and neck, which is why they are called ruffs.
Another fascinating aspect is that at certain times during spring, a large number of male Philomachus pugnax gather in one location – usually on a barren hill. 
There, they showcase their colorful plumage primarily to attract females. While the females gather around the males’ “stage” and watch attentively, the males display their prowess by fighting: their neck feathers puff out, wings droop, and they charge at each other, biting and kicking fiercely,… at this moment, they appear even more stunning.
The performance of the males ends when they flop down, beaks buried in the ground. This is also the time when the female ruffs venture into the arena to select their mates. Each female chooses one male. Typically, females and males remain separated, except for the brief period during the spring mating season.
After mating, the female lays eggs in a hole in the ground within a patch of grass. The eggs are incubated by the mother for 20-21 days before hatching. The chicks can leave the nest shortly after hatching. The female solely cares for the young for several days.
The average length of a Philomachus pugnax is about 25 cm. Their primary diet consists of insects. This bird species is found in many places across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
