American Oyster catcher reference?

[D. Hinton]

Does anyone on here have approximate size dimensions / specs for body length / height etc and bill length for an American Oystercstcher ?

 

[Steve Sanford]

Dax~

Here you go! As I recall, the book was quite reasonable (used) on the interwebs.



My annotations in RED



If you need - I can scan each page so yiu can print each half on 8.5 x 11.

All the best,

SJS

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

In todays world there is a staggering amount of info concerning Shorebirds, and Shorebird carving/making. When in fact the only book you need Steve has posted above. Many poo poo it, but they are incorrect. Use it as your foundation and you will do well to create your OWN style.

my 2 cents

 

[D. Hinton]

Awesome, thank you Mr Sanford

 

[tod osier]

Does anyone on here have approximate size dimensions / specs for body length / height etc and bill length for an American Oystercstcher ?

Never done an American, but a Black in a gunning style. The bills are weird, so anything you could do to lock that in would be a benefit.

 

[Carl]

Shoulda known Steve would have a reference!

 

[jode hillman]

They are big Shore birds. Definitely on par with a curlew for body size. There are bills are chisel like and more vertical in cross-section than they are wide.

 

[Carl]

On the Gulf, we seem to always see them in pairs. Even outside of breeding season.
They are kinda territorial and pretty picky about where they nest.
Cool birds.

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

I enjoyed watching and studying them on my trips to the East Coast. As Jode wrote they are large shorebirds on shore and in flight. I have carved only one but have painted many in oils and watercolors. They are perfectly adapted to their purpose that's for sure.

 

[Steve Sanford]

They are big Shore birds. Definitely on par with a curlew for body size. There are bills are chisel like and more vertical in cross-section than they are wide.

Jode~

Indeed! and - they fly like a duck! I have seen them many times on Long Island - and in their breeding colonies in the warmer months. I have also seen them in small flocks near inlets in mid-Winter.

We saw this one in Finland in 2023 (with my daughter's family). It's the Eurasian species - in mid-Summer plumage.



I could never figure out where they found their "oysters" or any shellfish. The system reminded my mostly of Lake Champlain - crossed with the coast of Maine. Except, there are almost no tides - because the Baltic Sea is very constricted near Denmark and Sweden - and the salinity is very low.



Finally, I have never carved any Oystercatcher.

All the best,

SJS

 

[george w]

ejphoto.com go to birds, then scroll to american oystercatcher

 

[Steve Sanford]

George~

Thanks for reminding me (us) of this wonderful site. I use Google images regularly - but this is one of the best - all in one spot.

All the best,

SJS

 

[Dave Diefenderfer]

ejphoto.com go to birds, then scroll to american oystercatcher

George, Thank you! Bookmarked that reference.

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

Decoy Monster Machine thanks for the info. First thing I did was go to the Eastern Kingbird. A pair frequent one of my favorite fly fishing ponds and they let me know when to grab the fly rod and start fishing. They nest close to where I park and each year I enjoy seeing them when they arrive. Might have to carve one someday...