ML378785041

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

Three white-bellied oystercatchers that we could not evaluate with the Jehl Scale due to limited views. The middle of the three appears to be a hybrid and was entered as such. Anacapa Island, CA - 2 Oct 2021

Observation details

We saw three white-bellied oystercatchers on a rock on the south side of the island with a flock of 35 Black Oystercatchers. Our views of these birds were limited as we could not approach the rock closely due to divers in the water. We are only comfortable calling birds "American Oystercatchers" if we can see a combination of features that allows us to score them using the Jehl Scale. In addition to the white bellies, this generally includes seeing the wing stripe, rump, underwings, and undertail coverts. Without an assessment of these features, it is not possible to rule out hybrids which are common among Black Oystercatchers and "frazari" Americans on the Pacific Coast of Baja and Southern California. One appeared to be a hybrid due to black streaking on the flanks. The other two birds were impossible to evaluate with the views we had.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Lens

EF400mm f/4 DO IS II USM +1.4x III

ISO

400

Focal length

560 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/8.0

Shutter speed

1/500 sec

Dimensions

1500 pixels x 800 pixels

Original file size

1.7 MB