Oystercatchers

Black Oystercatcher with Oyster - Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty, BC I have always wondered why this bird was named after the Oyster, yet here we are with a picture perfect moment of why. Oyster are not usually found along the shore and tide line unless there is a very low tide and that only happens infrequently. This is also a perfect example of how the oyster's beak works like a shucking knife penetrating the two half's and separating the muscle that holds everything together. This was taken along the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty on a low tide. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com 2022
Black Oystercatcher - Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty, BC
Black Oystercatcher - Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, BC Can never have to many pictures of these beauties. We were on a Bird Blogger Tour this summer and wanted to make sure our guests got a great view or our resident Oystercatcher. There are 12 species of this very unique shorebird with only two of those species in North America. The American Oystercatcher being the other. These birds will make quick work of the buried razor clams here in Tsawwassen where they breed in the spring and live year round. . Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com 2022
Black Oystercatcher - Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, BC
Black Oystercatcher - Piper's Lagoon, BC An early morning trip to Vancouver Island had us stopping at Piper's Lagoon to add to the eBird list for Nanaimo. Our first discovery were two Black Oystercatchers searching the shoreline in the bay. This stop has many things going for it if you are looking for birds. A secluded bay, a sandy spit leading to a rocky island that overlooks the open ocean. I highly recommend the stop. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Black Oystercatcher - Piper's Lagoon, BC
Black Oystercatcher - Cattle Point, BC On a trip to Vancouver island we stopped by Cattle Point to see what might be cruising the shores on this beautiful day. Along with Harlequin Ducks and Black Turnstones, there was a trio of Black Oystercatchers picking along the rocks. Strictly a Pacific Coast wader, the Black Oystercatcher has a range that stretches from Alaska to the Baja of California, overlapping with the American Oystercatcher in the southern part of its range. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Black Oystercatcher - Cattle Point, BC
Black Oystercatcher - Passage Island, BC During a boating trip in search of a Wandering Tatler, a very relaxed oystercatcher caught my eye. The contrast of the black on the gray granite was more than I could pass up. These distinctly colored waders are common here on the shores of Vancouver sliding their bill into the muscles and clams like a shucking knife and taking out the good parts. There are 12 different species of Oystercatchers around the world with the Black Oystercatcher being the only one found on the west coast of Canada. This particular bird was on the west side of Passage Island in Howe Sound. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Black Oystercatcher - Passage Island, BC
Black Oystercatcher - Bowen Island, BC In Galbraith bay on Bowen Island there is a small dock that we took a quick walk on to see the exposed rocks at low tide. This Black Oystercatcher was taking advantage of the low water and picking through the crevices on the algae covered rock. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Black Oystercatcher - Bowen Island, BC
If you are familiar with the Black Oystercatcher, you know what this picture would sound like if there were audio. This bird was vocalizing during my encounter with these wonderful shorebirds. The sound is somewhat a nasally squeak followed by a chatter. There is no shortage of sound when these birds feel the need to say something. Picture
Black Oystercatcher - Tsawwassen, BC
​There is nothing cuter than a baby and that goes for an Oystercatcher as well. I was very lucky to happen along a family of oystercathers feeding at low tide. This parent is quite capable of finding a meal and keeping an eye out for junior. Picture
Black Oystercatcher - Tsawwassen, BC
PictureThe Tsawwassen ferry jetty has a great many species that make it home for the winter. Some stay all year and these are one of my favorite. The birds were catching a bit of a rest, but they kept both eyes on me while I grabbed some shots. If you look close at the pupil there is a notch in the iris which is standard issue for these birds. There are some experts believe that is has to do with whether the bird is female or male. A full fleck would be female and a partial or no fleck at all is a male. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Oystercatcher Pair - Tsawwassen
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Black Oystercatcher - Crescent Beach, BC
Black Oystercatcher - Crescent Beach, BC A well won prize found and sushi-ed. I quick probe in the sand and gravel and the clam is found. The beak is pushed into the smallest of gaps like a shucking knife. A twist and a turn to let loose the reward for some underground surgery and Viola.......Lunch!. This is not as easy as it sounds however as the bivalves are only accessible like this once, maybe twice a day. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Black Oystercatcher - Crescent Beach, BC