Black Turnstone May 2026

: True to their name, they use their bill to flip over stones, shells, and massive clumps of kelp to find hidden invertebrates like sand hoppers and fly larvae.

: They are among the few shorebirds strong enough to hammer or pry open barnacles, limpets, and mussels from wave-washed rocks.

The Black Turnstone has one of the most limited breeding ranges of any shorebird, making it a high-priority species for conservationists at groups like Audubon . Breeding in the Arctic black turnstone

: A stout, robin-sized bird with short legs and a slightly upturned, wedge-shaped bill.

: In winter, they are a dark, smoky blackish-brown that blends seamlessly into the wet, seaweed-covered rocks of the Pacific Northwest. : True to their name, they use their

: In heavy seaweed, they have been known to "snowplow," shoving their entire body into the debris to uncover prey. A Very Specific Home

Unlike its world-traveling cousin, the Ruddy Turnstone, the Black Turnstone keeps a strictly local profile, sticking almost exclusively to the western edge of North America. Breeding in the Arctic : A stout, robin-sized

These birds aren't just looking for a handout; they work for their food. Their foraging behavior is one of the most entertaining sights for coastal birders.