Black Oystercatcher, Haematopus bachmani
9/23/06, Point Pinos, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co
Black Oystercatchers are year-round residents of the rocky Pacific shores of North America, one of the most colorful, noisy, and photogenic birds of this habitat. Despite their name, they rarely feed on oysters, much more on mussels, which separate their valves to waves, allowing the bird to strike with its chisel-like bill and sever the adductor muscle. Other food sources include clams, crabs, limpets, and sea urchins.
 
1/22/06, Point Pinos, Pacific Grove, Monterey Co
9/18/07, Pillar Point, San Mateo Co
10/7/10, Pillar Point, San Mateo Co
10/7/10, Pillar Point, San Mateo Co
Black Oystercatcher, 10/7/10, Pillar Point, San Mateo Co
Black Oystercatchers with Elegant Terns, 9/11/07, Pillar Point, San Mateo Co
Black Oystercatchers with Elegant Terns.