There are two sub–species of turnstone, the nominate interpres which breeds throughout the arctic and migrates to tropical and temperate coasts of both hemispheres, and morinella which breeds in subarctic North America and migrates to South America and Pacific islands. Both visit New Zealand. Turnstones are the third most numerous of the arctic waders to visit New Zealand.
Turnstones breed in the Arctic tundra. Nests are located on the open ground in wet tundra areas or dry rocky ridges. They are sometimes well concealed among rocks or under shrubs. The female builds the nest, a shallow depression with a sparse lining of leaves. Both parents incubate the four eggs for 22 to 24 days. The young leave the nest shortly after hatching and follow the male to food. They feed themselves, but both parents help protect and tend the young. The female usually departs first, leaving the male to watch over the young until they can fly, typically at 19 to 21 days.
The name derives from its method of looking for its food of insects and shellfish which it finds by turning over stones, shells, seaweed, using its bill.
