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
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