Black Oystercatcher
Haematopus bachmani
Large, bulky shorebird. Dark overall with thick red bill, staring yellow eye, and thick, light pink legs. Exclusively coastal, favors rocky shorelines where it feeds on shellfish and other invertebrates. Usually in pairs or small flocks. Occurs from Alaska to northern Baja. Listen for loud yelps and whistles, often in a rapid series when excited. Hybrids with American Oystercatcher occur locally in southern California and Baja; look for messy spotting on the belly.
Identification
The black oystercatcher is a large shorebird, with a black head, neck and breast and dark brown body, a long (9 cm (3.5 in)) bright red/orange bill and pink legs. It has a bright yellow iris and a red eye-ring. Its plumage varies slightly from north to south, being darker further north.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Haematopus bachmani
- Authority
- Audubon, 1838
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Haematopodidae
- Genus
- Haematopus
Behavior
The bird is restricted in its range, never straying far from shores, in particular favoring rocky shorelines. It has been suggested that it is seen mostly on coastal stretches which have some quieter embayments, such as jetty protected areas. It forages in the intertidal zone, feeding on marine invertebrates, particularly molluscs such as mussels, limpets and chitons, but also on crabs, isopods and barnacles. It forages through the intertidal area, searching for food visually, often so close to the water's edge it has to fly up to avoid crashing surf. It uses its strong bill to dislodge food and pry shells open. At high tides, it is normally inactive and can be seen resting and awaiting tidal reversal. <p>Since black oystercatchers are territorial, especially during the nesting season, they can readily be detected by their loud vocalizations while flying, actively defending a foraging and nesting area in one territory. Some pairs have been recorded staying together for many years. Nests are small bowls or depressions close to the shore into which small pebbles and shell fragments are tossed with a sideward or backward flick of the bill.<p>Around two to three eggs are laid in this nest; they are very hard, and can even survive being submerged by a high tide or very high water levels. Incubation takes around 26–28 days. The chicks are capable of leaving the nest after one day, but stay in the territory for a long time after fledging (apx. 40 days). Fledged juveniles stay in the territory until the next breeding season. If the parents migrate, that year's chicks may migrate with them, most commonly in the north of the range.
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Variegated Flycatcher
Empidonomus varius
Medium-sized flycatcher commonly found in the canopy and border of forests, woodlands, savannas, and urban areas where it usually perches on exposed branches. Note the complicated head pattern with a black mask and crown, and a broad white eyebrow and mustache. The black crown also has a central yellow patch, which is often concealed. The body is streaky with a cinnamon rump and tail. Similar to Piratic flycatcher, but Variegated Flycatcher is larger and paler, with cinnamon on the tail and rump and with more boldly-marked wings. The call is nasal “pseeeu.”
Harris's Sparrow
Zonotrichia querula
Large sparrow that is largely restricted to the middle of North America. Breeds in boreal forest and shrubbery in the far north of central Canada, and winters in shrubby or weedy areas in the southern Great Plains. Adults have distinctive black face and pink bill. Immatures have plain brown face and splotchy black bib. White belly with dark streaks on sides. Dark crown feathers are beautifully edged with white. Visits feeders; occasionally strays east or west of normal range.
Mouse-colored Sunbird
Cyanomitra veroxii
Large, gray sunbird with a long, down-curved bill. The wings and tail are blackish, while the underparts are paler than the back. Can show red tufts on the shoulders, though these are usually concealed. Found in forest, mangroves, and scrub at low elevations, mostly near the coast. Most distinctive vocalization is a short series of “chyep” notes that usually goes up then down. Olive Sunbird is similar, but Mouse-colored Sunbird is gray rather than olive-green.
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