American Black Oystercatcher

Haematopus bachmani

Also known as:Western Black Oystercatcher

Explore this bird

Identification

45 cm (17") Uncommon. Pacific Coast on rocky shores and islands.

All black body, straight red bill, pink legs.

Song: sharp peeps.

Details in the field

2 photos

Credit: Kevin Cole

Credit: Alan Vernon

Watch and learn

1 video

Black Oystercatcher

Credit: Don DesJardin

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 1 rule

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

1 rule

Rule 1 11 criteria confidence 2

In FLIGHT did the bird display a LIGHT WING STRIPE or PATCH ?: No · Unknown
What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Olive (yellowish-green) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Conical and slender · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Long · Very long · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Sandpiper-like · Long-legged wader
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States · Northwestern Canada or United States

result:590-american-black-oystercatcher:1:1 Source: 590 American Black Oystercatcher, row 1