Black Oystercatchers

Black Oystercatchers

Black Oystercatchers are a wading bird that can be seen along the shore of Bodega Bay California. True to its name it feeds on oysters. Black Oystercatchers feed on many bivalves, along with oysters they also feed on mussels and clams. They use their brightly colored orange bill to catch their food.

There are many different species of Oystercatchers, but they vary little in shape or size. They range in 15-20 inches in length with a wingspan of 28-36 inches in length. All species of this bird are either all black, or black (or dark brown) on top and white underneath. They are obvious when seen, especially due to their long orange colored bills. The bills are used to smash open mollusk shells that they catch for food. The bill shape will vary among species based on their food intake. The females are larger than the males and the female bill is also longer.

Black Oystercatchers are known to be monogamous and will nest at the same location for years. They are very territorial when breeding. Nesting is done during the summer and will normally consist as little as a just a lined scrape in the ground. Between one to four eggs will be laid. Incubation will last for 24 to 39 days. Oystercatchers have been know to practice egg dumping where they will place their eggs in the nest of another species of bird to hatch.

Bodega Bay is a unique birding area in Northern California where Black Oystercatchers can be seen. Summer is a good time to see the Black Oystercatchers that inhabit the area. You can see them often along the rocky shore of the bay as they forage for food in this unique coastal area.

The Black Oystercatchers favor these rocky areas of Bodega Bay and the quiet intertidal zone the Bay provides.