{"id":142,"date":"2010-08-14T06:12:25","date_gmt":"2010-08-14T12:12:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/?p=142"},"modified":"2025-07-19T14:17:47","modified_gmt":"2025-07-19T19:17:47","slug":"nesting-american-oystercatchers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2010\/08\/14\/nesting-american-oystercatchers\/","title":{"rendered":"Nesting American Oystercatchers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AmericanAn American Oystercatcher on its nest –\u00a0\u00a0The images on this page were taken with a Nikon D200, apertures of f6.3 & f7.1, ISO 200,\u00a0shutter speeds that varied between 1\/500 and 1\/800, Nikon 80-400mm\u00a0 VR at 400mm.<\/span><\/p>\n

I watched this pair of American Oystercatchers for about half an hour and was able to observe and photograph them\u00a0taking turns sitting on the nest in the Sea Purslane.\u00a0American Oystercatchers are\u00a0colorful, with an orange\u00a0eye\u00a0 ring, bright yellow eyes, thick pinkish legs and a\u00a0long\u00a0orange bill that they use to pry open bivalve mollusks. They have white underparts and\u00a0are dark brown\u00a0over the wings and tail while \u00a0the head is mostly black.<\/p>\n

\"AmericanAmerican Oystercatchers at their nesting site<\/span><\/p>\n

Nesting American Oystercatchers create simple scrapes on coastal beaches, dunes and salt marshes to lay their eggs in. They usually lay between 2-3 eggs around April to May. There are times when the first brood fails and they do re-nest. American Oystercatchers are exclusive to saltwater coastal habitats. This pair created their nest on a small purslane\u00a0 and sea oat covered dune.<\/p>\n

\"OneOne Oystercatcher leaving the nest<\/span><\/p>\n

While one adult sits on the eggs the other goes off to feed. I noticed that the time interval between switching was between half an hour to forty-five minutes.<\/p>\n

\"AmericanAmerican Oystercatcher settling on eggs<\/span><\/p>\n

This pair of Oystercatchers first nest failed because a raccoon invaded\u00a0 it and ate the eggs.\u00a0 I have also witnessed Great Blue Herons attempting to steal the eggs.<\/p>\n

\"AmericanAmerican Oystercatchers changing brooding duties<\/span><\/p>\n

Photographing nesting American Oystercatchers can be challenging with the high contrast of whites, darks and oranges. Photographing them in early morning or late afternoon light helps or photographing on a day when the clouds diffuse the light.<\/p>\n

Life is<\/em> good.<\/p>\n

Mia<\/p>\n

Click here<\/span><\/a> to see more of my American Oystercatcher photos plus facts and information about this species.<\/p>\n

Ethics on photographing nesting birds:<\/strong><\/p>\n