BLACK TURNSTONE Meaning and
Definition
-
The black turnstone, scientifically known as Arenaria melanocephala, is a species of small shorebird within the family Scolopacidae. These birds are primarily found in coastal areas of North America, with populations also inhabiting the northern regions of Asia.
The black turnstone is easily distinguishable by its unique appearance. It measures around 22 centimeters in length, with a stocky build and short, thick bill. During the breeding season, the adults exhibit prominent black plumage on their heads, chest, and upperparts, contrasting with their white belly. Outside of the breeding season, their plumage becomes less striking, resembling a mottled brown coloration.
These birds are highly adaptable and are known for their strong foraging skills. They predominantly feed on invertebrates such as insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and small bivalves, which they often find by turning over stones with their bills. This characteristic behavior of flipping over objects to uncover their prey provides the black turnstone with its name.
Black turnstones are migratory birds, traveling long distances to reach their breeding and wintering grounds. During the breeding season, they nest in tundra and coastal regions, creating a shallow depression on the ground and lining it with twigs, grass, and feathers. They lay a clutch of two to four eggs, which are incubated primarily by the female.
Due to their coastal habitat, black turnstones are susceptible to disturbances caused by human activities, habitat degradation, climate change, and pollution. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting their breeding, wintering, and stopover sites are vital for their long-term survival.
Common Misspellings for BLACK TURNSTONE
- vlack turnstone
- nlack turnstone
- hlack turnstone
- glack turnstone
- bkack turnstone
- bpack turnstone
- boack turnstone
- blzck turnstone
- blsck turnstone
- blwck turnstone
- blqck turnstone
- blaxk turnstone
- blavk turnstone
- blafk turnstone
- bladk turnstone
- blacj turnstone
- blacm turnstone
- blacl turnstone
- blaco turnstone
Etymology of BLACK TURNSTONE
The etymology of the word "black turnstone" can be broken down as follows:
"Black": The word "black" originated from the Old English word "blæc", which meant "absence of light" or "dark". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "blakaz" and can be traced further back to the Proto-Indo-European root word "bhleg-" meaning "to burn" or "shine".
"Turnstone": The word "turnstone" dates back to the early 16th century and initially referred to "a bird that turns over stones and seaweed to seek out food". It is formed by combining the Middle English word "turnen", meaning "to turn", and "stone", referring to stones. This name was given to the bird to describe its behavior of upturning stones while foraging.
Similar spelling words for BLACK TURNSTONE
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
