The Black
Oystercatcher (Haematopus
bachmani) is a large,
long-lived shorebird that is
completely
dependent upon marine shorelines throughout its life cycle. It favors rocky shorelines and occurs
along the North American Pacific coast from the Aleutian
Islands to Baja California.
The global
population size is estimated between 8,900–11,000 individuals.
The
Black Oystercatcher is a species
of
high conservation concern throughout its range (U.S., Canadian,
Alaskan, and Northern & Southern Pacific
Shorebird Conservation
Plans), a keystone indicator species along the north Pacific shoreline,
a management indicator species in the Chugach National Forest,
and a U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service focal
species for
priority conservation action.
Despite the great
concern for this species, information on
their
nonbreeding distribution, inter-seasonal movements, and habitat
use is limited.
Using satellite and
conventional VHF radio transmitters, a large-scale
collaborative research effort is underway to asses habitat use and
movements among breeding and nonbreeding sites by Black Oystercatchers
throughout their annual cycle.
This site was developed
to disseminate information derived from our
study of Black Oystercatcher movements.
Data and images within this site
may not be used without prior consent.
Point of contact: Matthew Johnson,
USGS Forest &
Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, matthew_johnson@usgs.gov
