American Oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus


American Oystercatcher
This colorful shorebird is found on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, as shown above (Texas) and below (Florida); a second population inhabits the southern Pacific Coast, south of the habitat of its near relative, the Black Oystercatcher of northern California and the Pacific Northwest.


American Oystercatcher


American Oystercatcher
Birds of the Pacific population of American Oystercatcher, above and, with a Royal Tern, below, both in Baja California, often show some dark feathers on the part of the upper breast that is pure white in the Atlantic/Gulf population. American x Black Oystercatcher hybrids are sometimes found in the Pacific habitat of the species, which overlaps a bit with the more northerly Black Oystercatcher habitat.


American Oystercatcher and Royal Tern



American Oystercatcher

American Oystercatcher

American Oystercatchers
A mating pair of American Oystercatchers on Tampa Bay.