Black - Turnstone

: In heavy seaweed, they have been known to "snowplow," shoving their entire body into the debris to uncover prey. A Very Specific Home

The Black Turnstone ( Arenaria melanocephala ) is a rugged, stocky sandpiper that perfectly embodies the wild spirit of the Pacific coast. While many shorebirds are known for their delicate, needle-like bills, the Black Turnstone is built like a tiny construction worker, using its chisel-like beak to flip, hammer, and pry its way to a meal. The Rugged Resident of the Rocky Shore

Unlike its world-traveling cousin, the Ruddy Turnstone, the Black Turnstone keeps a strictly local profile, sticking almost exclusively to the western edge of North America. black turnstone

They hatch in the high-latitude marshes of western and northern Alaska, specifically the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Pairs are remarkably loyal, often returning to the exact same nesting site with the same mate year after year. Consider the Black Turnstone, a Master of Camouflage

: True to their name, they use their bill to flip over stones, shells, and massive clumps of kelp to find hidden invertebrates like sand hoppers and fly larvae. : In heavy seaweed, they have been known

: A stout, robin-sized bird with short legs and a slightly upturned, wedge-shaped bill.

: They are among the few shorebirds strong enough to hammer or pry open barnacles, limpets, and mussels from wave-washed rocks. The Rugged Resident of the Rocky Shore Unlike

These birds aren't just looking for a handout; they work for their food. Their foraging behavior is one of the most entertaining sights for coastal birders.