Tuesday, July 05, 2016

Wild Bird Wednesday - Black Oystercatcher

Had some great birding this weekend thanks to the holiday allowing me some extra time.  Am still processing all the photos so thought I'd share something from last fall.  This was my first sight of a Black Oystercatcher on a Southern California beach (had previously seen them up north).  Shots were taken at Crystal Cove, CA on 10/10/15:

 
 
 
With their pink legs, orange/red beaks and yellow eyes, these birds are quite dramatic-looking.
 

 
 
Here he is patrolling one of the tide pools...with lots of barnacles on the rocks.
 

 
 
Love that beak color!
 

 
 
Catching some spray!
 

 
 
Stopping to pose...
 

 
 
...and then grabbing a snack.
 

 
 
Somebody needs to work on their leg tan.
 
 
KJ
 
 


7 comments:

Findlay Wilde said...

A really striking looking bird.

Modesto Viegas said...

Nice pictures!
Regards

mick said...

Great photos of the Black Oystercatcher. We have a very similar bird here in Australia but we call it a Sooty O. That eye is certainly dramatic.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

fabulous series of shots of the Black Oystercatcher

Adam Jones said...

A great looking bird!

Rohrerbot said...

This is such a great bird. You really live in a wonderful place to go birding. You never know who will stop by! Plus being by the ocean is great!

Stewart M said...

Great shots - we have an almost identical species called the Sooty Oystercatcher. I love them.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne