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Black turnstone        Images © Mark A. Chappell

Like their close relative the ruddy turnstone, black turnstones are plump little shorebirds that breed in the Arctic and winter on beaches and rocky shores far to the south.   In North America, black turnstones are a west coast specialty, and these birds were photographed in Pacific Grove, coastal Orange County, and in San Diego, all in California.   The birds without face markings are in the somewhat duller winter plumage, and the other turnstones have partially or mostly completed the molt into breeding plumage.   The flock at the bottom of the page is mostly comprised of black turnstones, but also has a few surfbirds.   More black turnstone images here.

  • Canon 10D, 1D Mk. II or 1D3, 500 mm IS lens plus 2X converter, fill-in flash (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014)