Black Oystercatcher

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Types of Shorebirds American Avocet Black-necked Stilt Black Turnstone Dunlin Greater Yellowlegs Killdeer Long-billed Curlew Long-billed Dowitcher Least Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs Marbled Godwit Pectoral Sandpiper Red-necked Phalarope Sanderling Semipalmated Plover Spotted Sandpiper Surfbird Western Sandpiper Willet Wilson's Phalarope

The Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) is West Coast shorebird.

Unlike many of the shorebirds discussed in this section, the oystercatcher lives and breeds in a very narrow range along rocky coastline. Typically they reside year round in one location.

They can grow to over two feet in height, and their black feathers and bright orange bill make for very easy field identification.

As the name suggests, they feed on mussles and other shellfish found during low tides.

Their limited habitat makes their population vunerable in areas where development affects their living space and water pollution affects their food source.

© 2004 Patricia A. Michaels