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Black oystercatcher chicks can be difficult to see, even when they are out in the open. |
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The color bands on this bird's legs will help researchers to identify it year after year, providing important insight into nesting behavior and productivity.
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Black Oystercatcher do not build much of a nest, but instead typically lay eggs in a shallow "scrape" on open, rocky ground.
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Black Oystercatcher do not build much of a nest, but instead typically lay eggs in a shallow "scrape" on open, rocky ground.
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Black oystercatcher chicks can be difficult to see, even when they are out in the open.
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Black Oystercatchers often pretend to be injured and limp along the beach in an effort to steer predators away from their nests.
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Black oystercatcher chicks can be difficult to see, even when they are out in the open.
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This decoy is used to attract Black Oystercatchers into a net trap so that they can be banded for future identification.
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University of Alaska Masters Candidate Julie Morse holds the Black Oystercatcher decoy.
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Some black Oystercatchers do manage to hide their nests among vegetation.
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Researchers are interested in knowing more about why Black Oystercatcher nests frequently fail to produce young.
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Black Oystercatcher eggs.
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Black Oystercatcher nests rarely contain more than three eggs.
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Black Oystercatcher chicks hatch after 26-28 days of incubation.
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Black Oystercatcher nests can be difficult to see, even when they are out in the open. This provides some protection from predators, but also makes them prone to trampling by people walking along the beach.
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Some nests are in spectacular glacial settings in Kenai Fjords National Park.
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Black Oystercatcher nest in moss.
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Black Oystercatcher nests can be difficult to see, even when they are out in the open. This provides some protection from predators, but also makes them prone to trampling by people walking along the beach.
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Some nests are in spectacular glacial settings in Kenai Fjords National Park.
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Some nests are in spectacular glacial settings in Kenai Fjords National Park.
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Some nests are in spectacular glacial settings in Kenai Fjords National Park.
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Researchers use small boats to check on nests in the remote regions of Kenai Fjords National Park.
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Black Oystercatcher chicks hatch after 26-28 days of incubation.
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This Black Oystercatcher was briefly captured to place identifying bands on its legs.
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Black Oystercatcher chicks are unable to fly for the first 10-15 days after hatching.
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Black Oystercatcher nests can be difficult to see, even when they are out in the open. This provides some protection from predators, but also makes them prone to trampling by people walking along the beach.
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