Black Turnstone

The Black Turnstone is a bird that predominantly lives in the rocky portions of the Pacific Coast. These are North American shorebirds have a zebra-like plumage which allows them to camouflage while roosting or foraging. Their plumage blends in so well with the rocky substrates in its habitat that these birds almost seem invisible. They are also quite difficult to sight when they are flying through the waves in the ocean.

About Black Turnstones

As is hinted by their name, these birds often turn over stones to find their food. Most of the food these birds eat is either below stones or on top of stones. Some of the food they consume are invertebrates and algae. They also feed in the water and use their specialized bills to extract sessile foods.

Black Turnstones are mostly never seen outside western North America, and their habitat requirements are very specific. The majority of their populations are around areas with a marine influence. During the breeding season, they indulge in several courtship displays sometimes in the air and sometimes on the ground. They produce their characteristic vocalizations during these displays.

If Black Turnstones are part of larger flocks, they assume the responsibility of guarding the nest sites. When these territorial birds encounter any predators, they produce alarm calls and aggressive pursue their opponents. Sometimes, they can go as far as pulling out the feathers of a rival or predator.

Black Turnstones are also referred to as Turnsticks during the breeding season. As there might be a lack of rocky substrates on their breeding grounds, these birds might forage for their food by flipping driftwood and vegetation, hence earning the name “turnsticks”. As early summer approaches, Black Turnstones are already in the process of migrating to their non-breeding grounds. Their non-breeding grounds can extend all the way to California. During this period, they often reside in outer coastal areas along with certain Surfbirds. Black Turnstones are very hard to see in these regions, and you can usually only find them by tracking their calls.

Although these birds are quite common throughout their range, there is little information we know about them. Now, there is sufficient knowledge about their populations, reproductive ecology, feeding, and distribution, but information about their demographics is still lacking. Don’t you want to know more about these birds? Let’s find out.

● Black Turnstone Photos, Color Pattern, Song
● Black Turnstone Size, Eating behavior, Habitat
● Black Turnstone Range and Migration, Nesting

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Black Turnstone Color Pattern

In all their plumages, Black Turnstones are predominantly black and white. This contrast between black and white is especially visible when they are flying. Both males and females have similar plumages. Breeding Black Turnstones have brownish-black upperparts. Their crown and back are separated from the rest of the upper body through their greenish-bronze iridescence.

Some characteristic physical features include a noticeable white spot between the eye and the bill and white streaks on their cheeks and crown. Most of the underparts of these birds are completely white.

Black Turnstones in their non-breeding plumage look similar, but a lot of the white spotting and flecking is absent. In the non-breeding plumage, these birds lack most of the contrast their breeding plumages are known for. In the non-breeding plumages, Black Turnstones also lose the iridescence on their crown and back. Juveniles look similar to adult Black Turnstones in their non-breeding plumage.

Due to the dullness of their plumage during the non-breeding season, Black Turnstones find it easier to blend into their surroundings. This can help protect them from potential predators.

Description and Identification

Black Turnstones in their non-breeding plumage look quite similar to the plumage surfbirds. Although the breeding range of these two species doesn’t overlap during the breeding season, their range in winters is quite similar. If you observe both of these species closely, you can easily distinguish Surfbirds through their larger size. In addition, the dorsal plumage of Surfbirds is also not as distinctively black-and-white. Rock Sandpipers also have somewhat similar plumage, but they are smaller in size, and they have a longer bill. Rocky Sandpipers also lack the zebralike look of their plumage.

Juvenile Black Turnstones are more likely to be misidentified as they share several similarities with Ruddy Turnstones. The only difference is the white throat and chin of the Ruddy Turnstone, which it consistently has in each and every plumage. As this differentiation might be hard to make in the field, if confused a birdwatcher can distinguish Black Turnstones from their vocalization. Their vocalizations are generally shriller, with a higher pitch.

Although Black Turnstones have a limited collection of vocalizations, they are very expressive and enthusiastic while vocalizing. Common behaviors of these birds can be understood through their vocalizations. Dry chatters and screaming rattles made by Black Turnstones in winter give the listeners a hint about how regularly these birds wander into each other’s territory. While engaged in a territorial encounter, Black Turnstones face each other putting their bills against each other as game-cocks do. This behavior is extremely unusual for waders.

Other common vocalizations include shrill screams which roosting Black Turnstones use when they begin to fly. Hunters dislike these birds as they frequently follow them in attempts to drive them away. They are strong and brave defenders of their territory who have a reputation for attacking hunters by nipping their stomachs with their bills.

Black Turnstone Song

Most vocalizations produced by Black Turnstones are somewhat similar in nature. Most vocalizations are just variations of each other. For example, the courtship call that males make is a slower and softer rendition of their alarm call. The courtship call also has a lower frequency.

Black Turnstones do not display characteristics of vocal learning. Nestlings make higher-frequency calls right from birth. Nestlings that are out of the nest bowl produce peeping calls, which perhaps serve the function of communicating with the adults. They mostly use contact calls. Distress calls are similar but louder. Captured Black Turnstones repeatedly utter distress calls.

The vocal array of Black Turnstones could use a little more study. Males produce more vocalizations than females. Females never make the cricket and staccato calls. Both males and females produce screech calls, rattle calls, “tu-whit” calls, trill calls, and purring calls. Not all of these vocalizations are heard during winter. It is unknown if the vocalizations of Black Turnstones vary according to the geographical range.

The staccato call is the first call made during the breeding season. Males mainly utter this call during display flights. This call serves the purpose of advertisement for the males. Therefore, this call is more frequent during the beginning of the breeding season, i.e., the first week of May. This call can become more frequent after nest-failure.

This call includes a long series of rhythmic vocalizations that consist of 1-5 elements each. As this vocalization progresses, the amplitude and frequency descend. The staccato Call is similar to the rattle call, but it is way slower.

Only males make cricket calls to try to attract a partner. They are often also accompanied by nest-scraping displays. Most of the song is soft ascending trills which alternate with extremely soft chips.

Trill calls are also mostly made by males when they are on the ground. Parents make purring calls as the chicks are hatching. This call continues through the beginning of their infancy mostly used to call nestlings back to the nest. This call has 2-18 elements of a low frequency.

Tu-whit call is another very important call. This call is frequently made by both males and females when an intruder is entering their nesting territory. One of the most important calls is the Rattle call which is almost like a scream. It consists of a long rattling sound, which gradually decreases in pitch. It is also similar to the call of Belted Kingfishers. Ruddy Turnstones also utter a similar call, but at a significantly lower pitch.

Black Turnstone Size

Black Turnstones are small wading birds. They are 8.6-9.8 inches long, and they weigh between 3.5-6 ounces. Their chisel-like bill is 0.8-1 inches long.

Black Turnstone Behavior

Black Turnstones spend most of their time on the ground. Walking, running, and jumping are common behaviors for them. They spend approximately only 1-2% of their time flying. They are very commonly sighted perching on objects of the ground such as walrus, carcasses, steel drums, tents, and driftwood. While sitting on this perch, they either vocalize or stand guard against predators.

Flight is a behavior that is especially common when these birds are scared or alarmed. They might run a few steps before emerging into flight. Black Turnstones are focused fliers that fly swiftly and precisely. Flying is also more frequent during winters, and obviously during migration.

Unlike most other bird species, Black Turnstones can tend to be aggressive during winters too. Physical contact is not always noticed when they get aggressive. Territorial chases are a more common way of driving out intruders. Only 1 in 5 territorial chases involve females.

Black Turnstone Diet

Black Turnstones primarily survive on aquatic invertebrates. These birds have a characteristic manner of foraging. As these bills are sharp and slightly upturned at the end, they are perfect for flipping objects and hammering open shellfish. These ground foragers walk around while flipping over seaweed, stones, driftwood, and flotsam. If seaweed is especially heavy in a certain area, they might use the force of their entire body to uncover hidden prey. Some of the foods consumed by Black Turnstones include spiders, fish eggs, sea spiders, crustaceans, bristle worms, beetles, larvae, and flies.

Black Turnstone Habitat

Black Turnstones prefer rocky habitats. These birds spend most of the year in these habitats which are along Pacific coastlines. They only move inland during the breeding season. These rocky regions are also perfect for them to forage. Some breeding habitats include arctic coastal lowlands and high-elevation zones that are away from the coast.

Range and Migration

Black Turnstones don’t travel long distances during migration. Their wintering range is situated along the Pacific Coast, and it ranges from Alaska to Mexico.

Black Turnstone Lifecycle

Alike many other bird species, male Black Turnstones arrive on the breeding grounds before the females. On average, they arrive 2 days earlier. They either travel alone or in small flocks. As soon as the males return to the breeding grounds, they begin their courtship vocalizations and nest-scraping displays. Most birds return to the same breeding
territories, and also the same partners.

Black Turnstones lay one brood per season. Only if the first nesting attempt fails, they attempt another brood. If the first attempt fails in the later stages of incubation, they do not attempt another brood.

Nesting

Black Turnstones nest in small islands which are not too far from the shore. They are often observed setting nests under willows on river islands. The process of building a nest begins right with the arrival of the males. The nest is a bowl-shaped scrape. Both males and females collect materials such as beach rye, willow, grasses, sedge stalks, and sedges to line the nests. The nest is approximately 1.7 inches deep, and its diameter is 3.9 inches.

Anatomy of a Black Turnstone

Black Turnstones are small birds with slender, sharp bills which are upturned towards the end. These birds have a round shape.

Final Thoughts

Black Turnstones are fascinating birds with a comic name. These strong and brave birds enthusiastically use all their might to protect their territories. Although they aren’t very large in size, they don’t shy away from tackling bigger predators or intruders. Perhaps, we can learn something from the courage they so often display in the face of adversity!

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars for IdentifyingBlack Turnstones

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing Black Turnstones are 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.

Black Turnstone Stickers

Stickers are a great way for you to display your love for bird watching and the Black Turnstone. We sell a monthly subscription sticker pack. The sticker packs have 12 bird stickers. These sticker packs will help your kids learn new birds every month.

Bird Feeders ForBlack Turnstones

There are many types of bird feeders. Bird feeders are a great addition to your backyard. Bird feeders will increase the chances of attracting birds drastically. Both kids and adults will have a great time watching birds eat at these bird feeders. There are a wide variety of bird feeders on the market and it is important to find the best fit for you and your backyard.

Bird HousesForBlack Turnstones

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