Illustration of turnstone
turnstone
noun
turn·stone
ˈtərn-ˌstōn 
: either of two shorebirds (genus Arenaria) of the sandpiper family:
a
: a bird (A. interpres) of worldwide distribution that has black and chestnut upperparts and a black breast
b
: a North American bird (A. melanocephala) with black upperparts and breast
Examples of turnstone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Summer visitors, on the other hand, can encounter a truly diverse array of species, with potential sightings spanning from the little blue heron to the ruddy turnstone.
—
Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Wandering tattlers, the ruddy turnstone and a variety of other summer migrants will be found on our local beaches.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
One, with a distinct black bib and white belly and slightly upturned bill, was a ruddy turnstone.
—Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2022
In Hampshire County, notable sightings at the Oxbow Marina included a black-bellied plover, a ruddy turnstone, a whimbrel, and a laughing gull.
—BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2021
In this May 22, 2018 photo, ruddy turnstones, larger birds, and semipalmated sandpipers walk near the shoreline at Kimbles Beach, Middle Township NJ.
—Washington Post, 28 June 2018
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Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Wandering tattlers, the ruddy turnstone and a variety of other summer migrants will be found on our local beaches.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
One, with a distinct black bib and white belly and slightly upturned bill, was a ruddy turnstone.
—Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2022
In Hampshire County, notable sightings at the Oxbow Marina included a black-bellied plover, a ruddy turnstone, a whimbrel, and a laughing gull.
—BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2021
In this May 22, 2018 photo, ruddy turnstones, larger birds, and semipalmated sandpipers walk near the shoreline at Kimbles Beach, Middle Township NJ.
—Washington Post, 28 June 2018
Cite this Entry
“Turnstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turnstone. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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