Key information
Smaller than a redshank, turnstones have a mottled appearance with brown or chestnut and black upperparts and brown and white or black and white head pattern, whilst their underparts are white and legs orange. They spend most of their time creeping and fluttering over rocks, picking out food from under stones.
What they eat:
Insects, crustaceans and molluscs.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 21-24cm
- Wingspan:
- 50-57cm
- Weight:
- 85-150g
Population:
- UK wintering:
- 48,000 birds
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Turnstone (summer plumage)
Turnstone (winter plumage)
