American Oystercatcher
Haematopus palliatus
A large, boldly patterned bird, the American Oystercatcher is conspicuous along ocean shores and salt marshes. True to its name, it is specialized in feeding on bivalves (oysters, clams, and mussels) and uses its brightly colored bill to get at them. (Click here to learn more.)
These photos were taken by Jim Fesler on the Umbrella Islands, in the Short Beach section of Branford.