Nature, Bird and Wildlife Photography

GALLERIES > BIRDS > BLACK OYSTERCATCHER [Haematopus bachmani]

Black Oystercatcher Photo
 
 
Location: Ballona Creek, CA
GPS: 34.0W, -118.4N MAP
Date: April 23, 2008
Black Oystercatcher Picture
 
 
Location: Ballona Creek, CA
GPS: 34.0W, -118.4N MAP
Date: April 23, 2008


Black Oystercatcher Image
 
 
Location: Ballona Creek, CA
GPS: 34.0W, -118.4N MAP
Date: April 23, 2008
Black Oystercatcher Photo
 
 
Location: Ballona Creek, CA
GPS: 34.0W, -118.4N MAP
Date: April 23, 2008


Black Oystercatcher Picture
 
 
Location: Ballona Creek, CA
GPS: 34.0W, -118.4N MAP
Date: July 22, 2007
Black Oystercatcher Photo
 
 
Location: Ballona Creek, CA
GPS: 34.0W, -118.4N MAP
Date: January 7, 2008


Black Oystercatcher Photo
 
 
Location: Ballona Creek, CA
GPS: 34.0W, -118.4N MAP
Date: January 7, 2008
Black x American Oystercatcher - Hybrid
 
 
Location: Los Coronados Islands, Mexico
GPS: 32.4W, -117.2N MAP
Date: March 15, 2008



SPECIES INFO

The American Black Oystercatcher, Haematopus bachmani, also called Western Black Oystercatcher or simply Black Oystercatcher, is a conspicuous black bird found on the shoreline of western North America. It ranges from the Aleutian Islands of Alaska to the coast of the Baja California peninsula.

The American Black Oystercatcher is the only representative of the oystercatcher family (Haematopodidae) over most of its range, overlapping slightly with the American Oystercatcher (H. palliatus) on the coast of Baja California. Within its range it is most commonly referred to as the Black Oystercatcher, although this name is also used locally for the Blackish Oystercatcher and the African Black Oystercatcher. Its scientific name is derived by John James Audubon from that of his friend John Bachman.

Although the species is not considered threatened, its global population size is estimated between 8,900–11,000 individuals. The Black Oystercatcher is a species of high conservation concern throughout its range (U.S., Canadian, Alaskan, and Northern & Southern Pacific Shorebird Conservation Plans), a keystone indicator species along the north Pacific shoreline, a management indicator species in the Chugach Natioanl Forest, and a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service focal species for priority conservation action.

The American Black Oystercatcher is a large entirely black shorebird, with a long (9 cm) bright red 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.




black_oystercatcher's Range Map Click here to see the Black Oystercatcher's range map!
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