Story Behind the Photo: American Oystercatcher

One of the most striking shorebirds, American Oystercatchers are rarely confused with other birds. Their bright red beak is designed specifically for chiseling open oysters and other mollusks. Matching that bright red bill is the ring around their yellow eyes that gives American Oystercatchers a very unique look. Often mating for life, they nest on undisturbed beaches, like this one at Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin, FL. Although American Oystercatchers can be found along the entire East and Gulf coasts of the US, I had never seen one before moving to Florida. Visiting Caladesi Island often, I always look for the pair that nest there, remembering that they were the motivation to buy the very handy Birds of Florida Field Guide by Stan Tekila.