American oystercatcher
Haematopus palliatus
Identification Tips:
- Large shorebird
- Bright orange, long, thick bill
- Head and breast black
- Dark gray back and wings
- White belly
- Large white patch on inner wing
- White uppertail coverts and dark tail
- Pink legs
Adult
- Yellow eye
- Orange orbital ring
Juvenile
- Eye dark and orbital ring not conspicuous
- Dark end of bill
- Upperparts faintly fringed with buff
Similar species:
The striking black and white plumage, large size, and bright orange bill
make this bird quite unlike any other.