Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

BLACK OYSTER-CATCHER—Family Hæmatopodidæ.

287. Hæmatopus bachmani. 17 inches.

The plumage on this bird is entirely black, with a bluish wash on the upper parts, and brownish black below. They are found upon the rocky coasts and islands more frequently than on the sandy beaches. Their eggs are laid upon the rocks or small pebbles with no attempt at nest building; three or four eggs are laid of an olive buff color spotted and blotched with shades of black and brown (2.20 × 1.55). Found on the Pacific coast of North America, from Lower California to Alaska.