Black Oystercatchers are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. They are quite noisy - Jackie Gai dubbed them "chattery" - and fun to watch. Look for them along our rocky shores. Cece Case recently photographed one wading in a tide pool. 
You can't miss this shorebird's distinctive red-orange bill! Its legs are yellow as is its eyes. The rest of this bird is pure ebony. Thanks to Cece for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
Tag Archives: Black Oystercatcher
Black Oystercatcher and a Sea Star, as photographed by Bettye Winters
Bettye Winters heard and then saw a very noisy Black Oystercatcher on the rocks at the north end of Manchester State Beach. As she watched a wave washed over the rocks and the Oystercatcher disappeared. It then reappeared a short distance away on another rock. I wonder if this bird was surprised to be washed off the rocks like that. He/she needs to heed the warning we humans are taught - never turn your back on the ocean!
If you look closely you can see an orange Sea Star, aka Starfish, on the rocks to the left.