Turnstone: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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'''Turnstones''' are two bird [[species]] that comprise the [[genus]] '''''Arenaria''''' in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Scolopacidae]]. They are closely related to [[calidrid]] sandpipers and might be considered members of the [[tribe (biology)|tribe]] Calidriini<!-- subfamilies Calidriinae, Eroliinae, etc? -->.<ref name = thomasetal2004/> The genus name ''arenaria'' is from [[Latin]] ''arenarius'', "inhabiting sand, from ''arena'', "sand".<ref name=job>{{cite book | last= Jobling | first= James A | year= 2010| title= The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names | publisher= Christopher Helm | location = London | isbn = 978-1-4081-2501-4 | page=54}}</ref>

Both birds are distinctive medium-sized [[wader]]s. Roughly speaking, length is typically between 20 and 25&nbsp;cm, with a wingspan beyween 50 and 60&nbsp;cm and a body mass between 110 and 130gm. For waders their build is stocky, with short, slightly upturned, wedge shaped bills. They are high [[Arctic]] breeders, and are [[bird migration|migratory]]. Their strong necks and powerful, slightly upturned bills are adapted to their feeding technique. As the name implies, these species overturn stones, seaweed, and similar items in search of [[invertebrate]] prey.<ref name= "ColinsBG">Svensson, Lars et al. Collins Bird Guide 2nd ed. Publisher: Collins 2010. ISBN 978-0007268146</ref> They are strictly coastal, prefer stony beaches to sand, and often share beach space with other species of waders such as [[purple sandpiper]]s.