Shorebirds

Black Oystercatcher

The global population is estimated to number fewer than 11,000 individuals. Over half of these nest in Alaska, concentrated especially in Prince William Sound and the Kodiak Archipelago (Andres and Falxa 1995). Oystercatchers are completely dependent upon a narrow coastal area throughout their life cycle, where they are highly susceptible to oil spills. Their strong fidelity to breeding territories, easy accessibility, conspicuous behavior, and limited reproductive potential (at most three young raised per pair per year) also make them particularly vulnerable to local extirpation through persistent disturbance by foxes and humans (Andres 1997, 1998). Subsistence harvest of either breeding adults or eggs is a potential threat to some local populations of this species in Alaska.

Return to Species

Last Updated: September 18, 2008