Black
Oystercatcher, Haematopus bachmani
Black Oystercatchers are year-round residents of the rocky and graveled 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, mostly on mussels and limpets; see below.
Black Oystercatchers feeding: above, using its chisel-like bill to pry a limpet from an intertidal rock; below, with water running through the pierced shell of a similar prey item.
Black Oystercatchers taking off, above; flying low, below...
...and flying overhead, above.
Black Oystercatchers with Elegant Terns.
Above, the courting male approaches carrying a pebble or food item; the female lowers her head, raises her tail, and calls in response. Of Black Oystercatchers it is said in Bent's Life Histories that "their antics of courtship are both noisy and amusing.” The birds pair for years, perhaps for life, and in central California a pair occupies the stretch of rocky coast that is their feeding and nesting territory year-around. The full sequence of photographs showing this pair mating can be seen here.
Above and below, the pair copulates, concluding with the female turning her head and touching bills with the male and then calling.
Above and below, a juvenile Black Oystercatcher; note two-toned bill and buff feather linings.
A family group, adult on right and two juveniles.