NPS / Kaitlin Thoresen
The black oystercatcher is a large shorebird that inhabits much of the coastal area of the western United States.
It is very distinct, with a chicken-sized black body, bright red legs, and a long red beak (about 9 cm). It uses its beak to pry open the shells of mollusks, snails, and the other intertidal invertebrates on which it feeds.
Living on secluded and rocky beaches, it can often be seen running in and out of the intertidal zone, looking for food that is left between the crashing of the waves. It is completely dependent on these beach and tidal areas for all aspects of its life (feeding, breeding, nesting, and raising its chicks).
It is particularly sensitive to any disturbance and habitat changes in coastal areas, especially those caused by humans.
Black oystercatchers are considered a "keystone" species because, as a top predator in the intertidal zone, they affect the number and types of species found in the ecosystem. Their predation of algae-eating snails causes ripples throughout the nearshore ecosystem, making the oystercatcher the "key" to understanding the composition of life in its environment.
The black oystercatcher is considered a Management Indicator Species by the park's neighbor to the north, Chugach National Forest, and is a species of concern, both nationally and regionally.
Kenai Fjords National Park has a history of conducting and supporting research and monitoring of black oystercatchers and has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge of this their life history. We began long term monitoring of black oystercatcher in 2007.
Thousands of visitors come each year to Kenai Fjords National Park to see the birds, marine mammals and spectacular park views.
Unfortunately, black oystercatchers, their chicks, and their nests, are extremely susceptible to both destruction and predation. While the park service is currently engaged in studying human and environmental impacts, there are certain steps that we can all take to protect black oystercatchers and other shorebirds.
What can you do to help?
To Learn More About Black Oystercatchers...
Summer Newsletter - Published every summer by the park's division of Resource Management
Blogs - part of Kenai Fjords in the Field 2013
Research Papers - from the Integrated Resources Management Application (IRMA) of the Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Inventory and Monitoring Division of the National Park Service.
Websites - Southwest Alaska Network (SWAN) for Inventory and Monitoring