Black Turnstone [ 2026 Edition ]

: 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. black turnstone

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. : True to their name, they use their

: They may look drab on the ground, but in flight, they reveal a bold, high-contrast black-and-white pattern on their wings and back. Life as a "Barnacle-Buster" Their foraging behavior is one of the most

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

They hatch in the high-latitude marshes of western and northern Alaska, specifically the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Pairs are remarkably loyal, often returning to the exact same nesting site with the same mate year after year. Consider the Black Turnstone, a Master of Camouflage