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Black Oystercatcher
Haematopus bachmani
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About the Black Oystercatcher
The black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) is a conspicuous black bird found on the shoreline of western North America, ranging from the Aleutian Islands of Alaska to the coast of the Baja California peninsula. It is the only representative of the oystercatcher family (Haematopodidae) over most of its range, overlapping slightly with the American oystercatcher (H. palliatus) on the coast of Baja California. Within its range it is most commonly referred to as the black oystercatcher, although this name is also used locally for the blackish oystercatcher and the African oystercatcher. Its scientific name was derived by John James Audubon from that of his friend John Bachman. Although the species is not considered threatened, its global population is estimated between 8,900–11,000.
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Haematopus bachmani
- Family
- Oystercatchers
- Order
- Charadriiformes
Similar species
Other members of the oystercatchers family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
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