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Black Turnstone

Black Turnstone

Arenaria melanocephala

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Showing primary migration corridor(s) for this species

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View on eBirdWikipedia

About the Black Turnstone

The black turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala) is a species of small wading bird. It is one of two species of turnstone in the genus Arenaria, the ruddy turnstone (A. interpres) being the other. It is now classified in the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae, but was formerly sometimes placed in the plover family, Charadriidae. It is native to the west coast of North America and breeds only in Alaska.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name
Arenaria melanocephala
Family
Sandpipers and Allies
Order
Charadriiformes

Similar species

Other members of the sandpipers and allies family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

  • American Woodcock Scolopax minor
  • Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii
  • Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
  • Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
  • Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis
  • Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus
  • Buff-breasted Sandpiper Calidris subruficollis
  • Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
  • Common Redshank Tringa totanus
  • Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
  • Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
  • Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

Know when the Black Turnstone turns up near you

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Gear for spotting Black Turnstone

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