Slightly bulkier and much darker overall than Ruddy Turnstone, with darker legs usually obvious. Has uniform dark head, breast, and upperparts, lacking pale patches on throat and breast-sides, and with no rufous color on upper side.

Nests in coastal sedge meadows in the arctic, often on little islands in ponds or rivers near the coast. Outside breeding season, forages along rocky Pacific coastlines (including jetties and breakwaters) and adjacent beaches or flats.

Coastal Alaska to Baja California.