BLACKISH OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ater

Restricted to the southern parts of Argentina and Chile this coastal species is the only black form in South America. It is very similar to the more northern American Black Oystercatcher, but both are largely sedentary so there is no overlap. Both are heavy looking with shortish legs and a brownish, rather than black, back, the somewhat heavier bill of this species being one of the few differences.

Click on the photo to return to "waders" or here for HOMEPAGE