Black Turnstone
Arenaria melanocephala

Black Turnstone is an arctic tundra breeder that winters on rocky shores along the entire Pacific coast of North America. It is one of the shorebirds generally referred to as "rockpipers", a loose category that includes 3 other species in the west, and two in the east. (The larger number of species occupying this ecological niche in the west makes sense when one considers the relative ruggedness of the Pacific coast.) I found the birds pictured below in appropriate habitat on Alki Beach, in West Seattle, Washington State, in January of 2006, and in the company of several Surfbirds. The individual checking me out directly below is probably a juvenille, given the amount of white in the chest and head.

The rockpipers were remarkably accomodating on this occasion, allowing me to approach within a few feet as they seemed preoccupied with bracing themselves against a stiff wind. I include the image below because it illustrates nicely the white edgings to the turnstone's scapular feathers. Black Turnstone shows a beautiful black and white wing pattern in flight, a feature that I observed in the field for the first time on this trip.

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