African Black Oystercatcher, Kommetjie, Cape Town.

The African Black Oystercatcher.			Beach House.
The African Black Oystercatcher.			Kommetjie.
		African Black Oystercatcher feeding on a tidal island at the very start of Noordhoek Beach. This photograph shows the beautiful bright red color of the birds beak and legs. The family of 3, with this summer's hatchling sporting an orange as opposed to red beak, was peacefully feeding on the island when a single male landed on a nearby island and started walking towards them.


		The youngster can be seen in the photograph right looking away from its shouting parents. The mother and father immediately ran to protect the youngster.




As can be seen in the photograph on the right, they stood between the intruder and the hatchling with their mouths wide open shouting loudly "kaak-kaak". After many minutes of intense shouting the intruder eventually lost heart and flew away.
The African Black Oystercatcher us their powerful beaks to remove mainly limpets and mussels from the rocks which they eat. They open the mussels with their beaks - quiet an achievement! Most oystercatchers in other parts of the world feed on worms in the inter-tidal mud-zones a skill which the young oystercatchers quickly learn within a matter of 6 to 7 weeks. The skills needed to collect mollusks from the rocks take longer to acquire. Adults demonstrate the technique to their young and patiently continue to help them feed in this manner for as much as a year until their offspring get the knack.
Continue the Bird Watching Tour to find out more about the Oystercatchers.	Bird Watching Tour

	Where to go?


	Janthina for pictorial sitemap	World Champion Bodyboarder for Surfing at the Beach Hotel.
Contact: info@sunsetbeach.co.za Tel: +27 21 783 4283 Fax: + 27 21 783 4286
			Chicken Liver Peri-Peri for Beach Hotel Kitchen.
		Siffie for Beach Hotel Rates

The African Black Oystercatcher.