Family Sandpipers, Snipes, Phalaropes (Scolopacidae)
Least Concern
Black Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala)
Taxonomy
French: Tournepierre noir German: Schwarzkopf-Steinwälzer Spanish: Vuelvepiedras oscuro
Taxonomy:
Strepsilas melanocephalus
Vigors
, 1829,north-west coast of North America
.Distribution:
W & S Alaska. Winters from SE Alaska to NW Mexico (S Baja California and S Sonora).
Descriptive notes
22–25 cm; 97–169 g; wingspan 48 cm. Large white spot at base of bill; small white spotting on crown, sides of neck, breast and greater coverts; dark spotting on... read more
Voice
Similar to that of A. interpres, but more rapid and higher-pitched, including a chattering... read more
Habitat
Saltgrass, graminoid and dwarf shrub meadows; also tidal marshes; mostly within 2 km of coast, but... read more
Food and feeding
Diet on breeding grounds diverse, but less eclectic compared to that of A. interpres; of 94 stomachs analysed 96.8% contained... read more
Breeding
Lays mid May–late Jun. Solitary or semi-colonial; densities of 40–111 birds/km², highest in coastal saltgrass meadows.... read more
Movements
Less migratory than A. interpres. Migrates along Pacific coast, as far S as Colima, W... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Total breeding population estimated at 76,000–114,000 birds (1991) of which 85% nest on C floodplain of Yukon and Kuskokwim... read more
Monotypic.