Turnstone – Black
Arenaria melanocephala
Turnstones use their short, upturned beaks to flip rocks and debris in search of food items. They breed on the coasts of Alaska and the Aleutian islands near the Bering Sea. Winter will find them on rocky, wave-battered coastlines of North America, Baja California and the Gulf of California.
Black Turnstones feed mainly on invertebrates. They particularly enjoy crustaceans and mollusks in winter. During the breeding season, insects are their primary food source. These birds are not above taking seeds, eggs, and carrion.
Modern science regards the Black Turnstone as monotypic (i.e. no subspecies).
Unlike their Ruddy globe-trotting cousins, Black Turnstones confine themselves to North America’s Pacific coast. I have had meetings with this species along the entire length of the California coastline, from San Diego to Crescent City and into Oregon.
37 Photos
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Along the rocky coast south of Point La Jolla. La Jolla, San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:09:09 8:24 |
|
Location:
La Jolla |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X9855-BlackTurnStone |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: (Arenaria melanocephala) Foraging at Point Loma Tide Pools. San Diego, CA USA 2005-04-06. |
Date Taken: 2005:04:06 11:46 |
|
Location:
Fort Rosecrans |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/640 |
File Name: JCD0490BlackTurnStone |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: (Arenaria melanocephala) Foraging at Point Loma Tide Pools. San Diego, CA USA 2005-04-06. |
Date Taken: 2005:04:06 11:47 |
|
Location:
Fort Rosecrans |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD0500BlackTurnStone |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: (Arenaria melanocephala) Piedras Blancas, on the Coast of Central California USA 2003-12-31. |
Date Taken: 2003:12:21 8:52 |
|
Location:
San Simeon |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD_5678BlackTurnstone |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, (shadetree-Imaging.com) |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: (Arenaria melanocephala) Piedras Blancas, on the Coast of Central California USA 2003-12-31. |
Date Taken: 2003:12:21 8:59 |
|
Location:
San Simeon |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/160 |
File Name: JCD_5688BlackTurnstone |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, (shadetree-Imaging.com) |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Piedras Blancas, on the Coast of Central California. |
Date Taken: 2003:12:21 9:00 |
|
Location:
Piedras Blancas |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/500 |
File Name: JCD_5690BlackTurnstone |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Piedras Blancas, on the Coast of Central California. |
Date Taken: 2003:12:21 9:19 |
|
Location:
Piedras Blancas |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/750 |
File Name: JCD_5722BlackTurnstone |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: (Arenaria melanocephala) Piedras Blancas, on the Coast of Central California USA 2003-12-31. |
Date Taken: 2003:12:21 9:20 |
|
Location:
San Simeon |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD_5724BlackTurnstone |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, (shadetree-Imaging.com) |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: And *liftoff*. The beach at Border Field, while known for its proximity to the border with Mexico, is also a productive place to meet gulls, terns and shorebirds. Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:27 |
|
Location:
Border Field |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: BlackTurnStone_D5X9463-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: And *liftoff*. The beach at Border Field, while known for its proximity to the border with Mexico, is also a productive place to meet gulls, terns and shorebirds. Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:27 |
|
Location:
Border Field |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: BlackTurnStone_D5X9462-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Preparing for takeoff. The beach at Border Field, while known for its proximity to the border with Mexico, is also a productive place to meet gulls, terns and shorebirds. Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:27 |
|
Location:
Border Field |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: BlackTurnStone_D5X9460-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Preparing for takeoff. The beach at Border Field, while known for its proximity to the border with Mexico, is also a productive place to meet gulls, terns and shorebirds. Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:27 |
|
Location:
Border Field |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: BlackTurnStone_D5X9459-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: A day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:08:19 12:00 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X5044-BlackTurnStone |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Fall migrant we saw during a day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:08:19 11:48 |
|
Location:
Saltworks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X4891-BlackTurnStone |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Crescent Harbor in Crescent City California. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:12 7:03 |
|
Location:
Crescent Harbor |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnStone_D5X1400-CrescentCity |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Crescent Harbor in Crescent City California. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:12 7:03 |
|
Location:
Crescent Harbor |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnStone_D5X1377-CrescentCity |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Crescent Harbor in Crescent City California. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:12 7:03 |
|
Location:
Boat Harbor |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnStone_D5X1365-CrescentCity |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Crescent Harbor in Crescent City California. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:12 7:00 |
|
Location:
Boat Harbor |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnStone_D5X1296-CrescentCity |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Along the rocky coast south of Point La Jolla. La Jolla, San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:09:09 8:28 |
|
Location:
La Jolla |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X9911-BlackTurnStone |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Along the rocky coast south of Point La Jolla. La Jolla, San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:09:09 8:25 |
|
Location:
La Jolla |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X9874-BlackTurnStone |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: The shadow tells the story along the rocky coast south of Point La Jolla. La Jolla, San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:09:09 8:24 |
|
Location:
La Jolla |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X9860-BlackTurnStone |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Mission Beach Jetty. San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:03:24 10:53 |
|
Location:
Mission Beach |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X2494-BlackTurnStone |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: These birds were foraging at Drake’s Beach, on the southern shore of the peninsula. Point Reyes National Seashore on the northern California coast. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:05 15:29 |
|
Location:
Point Reyes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8503144-PointReyes |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: There are but two turnstone species this day (Ruddy and Black). I met both while I carried my camera. Waterfowl and shorebirds were the objects of my affection during the half-day I spent exploring Bodega Bay. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:06 12:01 |
|
Location:
Bodega Bay |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8503686-BodegaBay |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: The North Jetty shelters Bandon’s harbor and provides a high-tide refuge for these turnstones. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:28 10:43 |
|
Location:
North Jetty |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8508171-BandonNorthJety |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: The North Jetty shelters Bandon’s harbor and provides a high-tide refuge for these turnstones. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:28 10:43 |
|
Location:
North Jetty |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8508168-BandonNorthJety |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: The North Jetty shelters Bandon’s harbor and provides a high-tide refuge for these turnstones. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:28 10:42 |
|
Location:
North Jetty |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8508155-BandonNorthJety |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: The North Jetty shelters Bandon’s harbor and provides a high-tide refuge for these turnstones. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:28 10:42 |
|
Location:
North Jetty |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8508154-BandonNorthJety |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: These birds were foraging at Drake’s Beach, on the southern shore of the peninsula. Point Reyes National Seashore on the northern California coast. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:05 15:29 |
|
Location:
Point Reyes |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8503141-PointReyes |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: The North Jetty shelters Bandon’s harbor and provides a high-tide refuge for these turnstones. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:28 10:38 |
|
Location:
North Jetty |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8508106-BandonNorthJety |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: The North Jetty shelters Bandon’s harbor and provides a high-tide refuge for these turnstones. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:28 10:36 |
|
Location:
North Jetty |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8508091-BandonNorthJety |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: The North Jetty shelters Bandon’s harbor and provides a high-tide refuge for these turnstones. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:28 10:35 |
|
Location:
North Jetty |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8508081-BandonNorthJety |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: The North Jetty shelters Bandon’s harbor and provides a high-tide refuge for these turnstones. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:28 10:34 |
|
Location:
North Jetty |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8508054-BandonNorthJety |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: The North Jetty shelters Bandon’s harbor and provides a high-tide refuge for these turnstones. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:28 10:33 |
|
Location:
North Jetty |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8508043-BandonNorthJety |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: The North Jetty shelters Bandon’s harbor and provides a high-tide refuge for these turnstones. |
Date Taken: 2022:03:28 10:30 |
|
Location:
North Jetty |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnstone_8508024-BandonNorthJety |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Crescent Harbor in Crescent City California. |
Date Taken: 2017:09:12 7:03 |
|
Location:
Boat Harbor |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: BlackTurnStone_D5X1375-CrescentCity |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Black Turnstone(Arenaria melanocephala) |
|
Description: Known for turning over stones to find food, I watched this bird do the same with clumps of seaweed. The beach at Border Field, while known for its proximity to the border with Mexico, is also a productive place to meet gulls, terns and shorebirds. Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:24 |
|
Location:
Border Field |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: BlackTurnStone_D5X9368-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Click map markers to reveal further information
