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Black Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala)
Black Turnstone, San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park (Ecological Reserve), La Jolla, California Photograph by Alan And Elaine Wilson. Some rights reserved. (view image details) 
Black Turnstone, Whiffin Spit Park, Sooke, Near Victoria, British Columbia Photograph by Alan And Elaine Wilson. Some rights reserved. (view image details)
BLACK TURNSTONE FACTS
DescriptionThe Black Turnstone is a shorebird with dark wedge shaped bill and dark legs. In the breeding season the adults are black above with white eye stripe, white spots on sides of neck and breast. and white underside. In the non-breeding season the back and wings are blackish brown; the head is dark brown with paler throat and pale stripe behind the eye. The wings have white stripe visible in flight, and they have a white lower back. The tail is white with black band at the tip. Size 22cm - 25cm Environment sparsely vegetated areas near coastal meadows, rocky shorelines, beaches near rocky coasts, jetties, piers. Food Aquatic invertebrates, insects Breeding The nest is a shallow scrape in the ground, usually lined with leaves. It is placed in vegetation or on the ground. Lays two to five (commonly four) pale olive eggs with brown spots and blotches. Eggs hatch after about 22 to 24 days. Range Breeds in coastal Alaska. Winters along Pacific Coast from southern Alaska to southern Baja California in Mexico. Classification
Relatives in same Genus Ruddy Turnstone (A. interpres) Home | Mammals | Reptiles | Birds | Insects | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Us |