Juvenile © Michiel Oversteegen
Adult © Brandon Nidiffer
Adult © Alix d'Entremont
Adult © Susan Teefy
+ 3
Adult © Rob Bierregaard
Habitat © Evan Lipton

amerikansk strandskata Haematopus palliatus

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Identification

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Large, bulky shorebird with thick red bill. Unmistakable, striking plumage. Exclusively coastal; favors beaches where it feeds on shellfish and other invertebrates; less frequent in rocky areas. Gathers in flocks during migration and winter. Listen for loud yelps and whistles, often in a rapid series when excited. Hybrids with Black Oystercatcher occur locally in southern California and Baja; look for messy spotting where the black hood meets the white belly (sometimes very limited but often quite extensive).

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