A silhouette of an oystercatcher during a pink sunset. These raucous birds can be heard from miles away as they move from beach to beach in search of food in the intertidal zone. Black oystercatchers are striking coastal birds with all-black plumage, bright red bills, and loud, piping calls that echo along rocky shorelines. They use their strong, flattened bills to pry open mussels and other shellfish, sometimes hammering until the shell pops loose. Unlike many shorebirds, they are long-lived, and form strong pair bonds, and fiercely defending their nesting areas. Photographer: Sean Neilson