Bill Hubick Photography - American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)

American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)

Above and below two: An American Oystercatcher at the Ocean City Inlet, Maryland (12/9/2005).

Below: An American Oystercatcher in flight at Shantytown, Ocean City, Maryland (5/11/2011).

An American Oystercatcher in flight at Shantytown, Ocean City, Maryland (5/11/2011). Photo by Bill Hubick.

Below: American Oystercatchers on a sandbar off Smith Island, Somerset Co., Maryland (8/6/2011).

American Oystercatchers on a sandbar off Smith Island, Somerset Co., Maryland (8/6/2011). Photo by Bill Hubick.

Below: American-type Oystercatchers among Black Oystercatchers in San Diego Harbor at dawn. One of the three American-types might fall within range of a "pure" American, but the other two show more signs of hybridization.

American-type Oystercatchers among Black Oystercatchers in San Diego Harbor at dawn. One of the three American-types might fall within range of a "pure" American, but the other two show more signs of hybridization. Photo by Bill Hubick.

Below: An American Oystercatcher helps itself to its namesake delicacy near Guanica, Puerto Rico (4/8/2009).

An American Oystercatcher helps itself to its namesake delicacy near Guanica, Puerto Rico (4/8/2009). Photo by Bill Hubick.

Comments: This large and interesting shorebird is a year-round resident on the Atlantic Coast from the Gulf of Mexico to Maryland, and in the west, from southern California to the Pacific Coast of Mexico. During the breeding season, its range expands into the Northeast. It uses its chisel-like bill to pry and hammer open the shells of oysters and other bivalves, starfish, sea urchins, and other marine invertebrates. Top three photos taken at the Ocean City Inlet, Worcester Co., Maryland (12/10/2005). Fourth and fifth photos taken on the Assateague Island ORV zone (8/2004 and 6/5/2005, respectively).

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