Haematopus ater 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.

Fish & Wildlife Service focal species for priority conservation action.

It forages in the intertidal zone, feeding on marine invertebrates, particularly molluscs such as mussels, limpets and chitons, but also on crabs, isopods and barnacles.

It forages through the intertidal area, searching for food visually, often so close to the water's edge it has to fly up to avoid crashing surf.

The chicks are capable of leaving the nest after one day, but stay in the territory for a long time after fledging (apx.