We came across this American oystercatcher one morning on Fernandina in the Galapagos Islands. Usually oystercatchers will lay two to three eggs, but this mother appeared to only have one. As the name would suggest, they use their large beaks to break open oysters and other mollusks.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 340mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/640th of a second
6 Comments
does this bird ,bury it eggs, to hactes, or doe s she keep it on her feet til hacthes, like the peguian.
Cool shot. Love her red mascara. She could start a fashion trend.
They line their nest cavities with shells and that’s evident here. I’ve read the newly hatched birds leave the nest within one day, so there may have been others and this may be the last one. Great photography not only engages the senses but also the mind, and that’s precisely what your photography achieves.
For those who want more info [Cornell University]: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Oystercatcher/lifehistory
Ok I like this bird, but only because he’s an Oystaah catchaaa
A bird with red beak and eyeliner to brighten up my day. Thanks,
Nice click…love the bird…whats the droplet on her beak though. …?
Thanks Prem. She must have just come from foraging in the sea and still had a little water dripping from her beak.