Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Although this species has a relatively small breeding range size (extent of occurrence c. 600,000 km2), this still far exceeds Criterion B thresholds. It also has a relatively large estimated population size (95,000 mature individuals; Partners in Flight 2023), and so does not approach Criteria C or D thresholds. Considering its population trend over three generations (c. 19.5 years), multiple data sources indicate that it has remained stable or fluctuated around its long-term average, including the Christmas Bird Count (Meehan et al. 2022), Migratory Shorebird Project (unpublished data), Partners in Flight (2023) and eBird (Fink et al. 2023). As there is no evidence that the population is declining at a rate approaching Criterion A thresholds, the species continues to warrant listing as Least Concern.
Population justification
It has a relatively large estimated population size (95,000 mature individuals; Partners in Flight 2023), and so does not approach Criteria C or D thresholds.
Trend justification
Considering its population trend over three generations (c. 19.5 years), multiple data sources indicate that it has remained stable trend, or one that fluctuates around the long-term average, including the Christmas Bird Count (Meehan et al. 2022), Migratory Shorebird Project (unpublished data), Partners in Flight (2023) and eBird (Fink et al. 2023).
Breeding range: the species breeds only in Alaska (USA), primarily along the coast from Point Hope to the south-central Alaska Peninsula, with 85% of the population on the central Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Nests are usually within 2 km of the coast but can be up to 100 km inland along rivers and lake shores. Winter Range: In winter, the species is found along the Pacific Coast from southern coastal Alaska to southern Baja California, and throughout the Gulf of California to southern Sonora, Mexico, favouring rocky habitats. Some non-breeding individuals remain in the winter range during the breeding season, from Sonora and north-west Baja California to the Gulf of Alaska (Handel and Gill 2020).
In the breeding season the species inhabits coastal and inland habitats such as coastal bands on the central Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, graminoid meadows on the Seward Peninsula and Bristol Bay, riverbanks under willows on the northern Yukon Delta, and alpine regions north of the Seward Peninsula. In the non-breeding season, they move to unvegetated littoral habitats, upper mudflats, tidal distributaries, and gravel lakeshores. From August to May, they are found in coastal habitats, including rocky shorelines, reefs, estuaries, sandy beaches, and human-created structures like jetties and piers (Handel and Gill 2020).
The species was historically hunted, although is no longer considered to be a threat. Current threats include contamination from oil spills and habitat degradation along the Pacific Coast due to oil spills (Handel and Gill 2020); the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta supports a large proportion of the species' breeding population but this region is under threat due to proposed projects including mineral extraction, oil, gas and wind development (Lyons et al. 2024). Nonetheless, the global population trend of this species is estimated to be stable, and therefore none of these threats are thought to be driving population declines.
Conservation Actions Underway
The species is fully protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act but is technically classified as a game bird under the Convention between the United States and Great Britain (for Canada) for the Protection of Migratory Birds (39 Stat 1702). Core breeding areas in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and Kachemak Bay, Alaska, are part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, with additional staging areas proposed for inclusion (Handel and Gill 2020). Kelp restoration off the Palos Verdes Peninsula, California, in the mid-1980s increased the numbers of wintering Black Turnstones. However, a lack of long-term population data prevents a full assessment of the effectiveness of protective measures (Bradleu and Bradley 1993).
This stocky, medium-sized shorebird measures 220–250 mm in length and weighs 100–170 g, with a short, wedge-shaped bill. Both sexes have similar plumage, though females are slightly larger. All plumages feature striking black and white contrasts, particularly visible on the back in flight. In breeding plumage, the upperparts are brownish-black with a greenish-bronze iridescence, more pronounced in males. The bird has a large white spot between the bill and eye, fine white streaks on the crown and cheeks, and large white flecks on the breast. In non-breeding plumage, the bird appears more uniformly brownish-black without iridescence. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but are more brownish with buffy fringes on the upperparts (Handel and Gill 2020).
Text account compilers
Chad, E., Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black Turnstone Arenaria melanocephala. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-turnstone-arenaria-melanocephala on 18/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 18/12/2024.