Bird of the Week 6/29 - 7/3

Hello all,

The number of BOTW subscribers added another digit this week, so I wanted to take a beat to say thank you. It’s been a real joy of mine to write this thing over the last 7 (gasp) years, and although I get a lot out of the research and writing, it’s motivating to know that more than two people read it, so thanks. To the bird:

This week's bird is the: Black Oystercatcher

1) The Oystercatcher lives on rocky shorelines along the Pacific Coast where it hunts, you guessed it, oysters! (and other mollusks)

2) Most evidence suggests that these birds are monogamous, and stay with their mates for life.

3) The Black Oystercatcher has a close relative that lives on the East Coast (and around the Gulf of Mexico) - the American Oystercatcher. In Southern and Baja California, these two species create fuel-efficient hybrids.

4) Peregrine Falcons, coyotes, and domestic cats are hunters of the Oystercatchers. It's a bird (and mammal) eat bird world out there…

5) Oystercatchers make their nests out of rocks and the calcium remnants of their mollusk enemies. That can't be comfortable!

Have a great week!