Black Oystercatcher

The boat trip to Seldovia gave me another life bird: Black Oystercatcher. This was a pleasant surprise. I have seen its cousin American Oystercatcher several times back home, but I never really put two and two together to figure out that I might see a Black Oystercatcher while in Alaska. When the boat captain pointed them out on the way to Seldovia, and then took the time to give us a closer look, I fumbled between binoculars and camera...trying to decide whether to be a birdwatcher or a photographer. Luckily I had enough time to be both. I really love their carrot orange bill, and the yellow eye surrounded by the orange eye-ring.

Black Oystercatcher

2 comments:

Peggy said...

The Black Oystercatcher sure does have beautiful markings!

I have the same problem, binos or camera? The camera wins out, unless I get to stay there for a long time.

Linda Navroth said...

Congrats on your lifer. I LOVE the Black Oystercatcher! What a great bird. I saw my first one this year, too. I have some neat video of one foraging on some surf splashed rocks at Montana de Oro State Park (near Morro Bay)this past October. The waves pounded him and he kept going back for more!