turnstone

[ turn-stohn ]

noun

1. any shorebird of the genus Arenaria, characterized by the habit of turning turn over stones in search of food.
2. British. ruddy turnstone.

turnstone

/ ˈtɜːnˌstəʊn /

noun

1. either of two shore birds of the genus Arenaria , esp A. interpres ( ruddy turnstone ). They are related and similar to plovers and sandpipers

Word History and Origins

Origin of turnstone¹

First recorded in 1665–75; turn + stone

Word History and Origins

Origin of turnstone¹

C17: so called because it turns over stones in search of food

Example Sentences

Four UK shorebirds - the grey plover, dunlin, turnstone and curlew sandpiper - are becoming more endangered on the red list.

From BBC

Bingo: They were ruddy turnstones, sandpipers whose tricolor markings are sometimes compared to those of a calico cat.

From New York Times

Alderfer takes a slightly more impressionistic approach in ink, pencil or crayon drawings, one of which depicts turnstones in profusion among oyster shells on the Eastern Shore.

From Washington Post

And a bird I want to add as a caveat: the ruddy turnstone.

From Scientific American

The few shorebirds he did encounter, including sanderlings, ruddy turnstones and red knots, wandered the snow-free patches outside the station’s buildings in search of food.

From Scientific American