Black Oystercatcher Facts

 

The black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) is a frequently sighted bird that calls the Salish Sea home year-round. It is easily recognizable by its black feathers and long, red bill. You might see a black oystercatcher poking around the tide pools during mid and high tide, on the hunt for food. Its pointed, narrow bill is useful when searching for food along the rocky shoreline. The population of black oystercatchers is a valuable indicator of the health of intertidal ecosystems as their presence means there is an abundance of marine life flourishing within the rocky terrain.

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Photo by Alexander Pati. Banner photo by Diana Robinson (Creative Commons Flickr).

Photo by Alexander Pati. Banner photo by Diana Robinson (Creative Commons Flickr).

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