American Oystercatchers Horsing Around

Marina Scarr spots two hot-to-trot juveniles.

This distinctive shorebird, with its bright red bill, can be spotted, as its name implies, eating oysters in coastal regions of North and South America during the summerÌýand in Hispaniola during the winter. The species nests right on the beach, preferring high ground or sandy nooks with good cover.ÌýEven though they areÌýbarely more than pilesÌýof seashells and pebbles,Ìýoystercatcher nestsÌýare so well camouflagedÌýthat they are difficult to spot from even just a few feet away.Ìý

This image was a Top 100 photo from the 2011 ÃÛèÖAPP Magazine Photography Awards. To see all of the photos,Ìý.

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