At the water’s edge, an African Black Oystercatcher preens itself in the golden light of dawn.

The first light of morning stretched across the lagoon, its golden glow softening the rippled water. A hush hung over the shoreline, broken only by the distant calls of seabirds and the rhythmic lapping of waves against the sand. The tide had pulled back overnight, leaving behind a textured landscape of exposed sandbanks, dotted with tiny burrows where prawns and other small creatures hid beneath the surface.

As I walked along the water’s edge, scanning the shallows, a dark figure came into view—a lone African Black Oystercatcher, stepping carefully across the wet sand. Its jet-black plumage stood in stark contrast to the amber hues of the morning, its bright red bill and legs a flash of color against the muted tones of the shore. These birds are often elusive, their presence dictated by the movement of the tides, but here was one, unhurried and seemingly at ease.

The oystercatcher moved with intent, pausing now and then to probe the sand, its sharp bill expertly extracting morsels from the shallows. It was a solitary figure, a master of this rugged intertidal world. As it neared the drier banks where the lagoon met the land, it paused, shifting its weight slightly. The breeze lifted a few ruffled feathers, still damp from its morning wading, and then, in a deliberate act of self-care, the bird began to preen.

With slow, precise movements, it tucked its head beneath its wing, running its bill through its feathers to straighten and clean them. This ritual, essential for maintaining waterproofing and insulation, was performed with instinctual grace. Each feather was carefully arranged, the black plumage shimmering faintly in the early light. It was a quiet, intimate moment, a look into the daily rhythm of a species that has long adapted to the ebb and flow of coastal life.

For several minutes, the oystercatcher continued, oblivious to my distant presence. The tide would soon return, creeping up the banks to reclaim the sand, but for now, the bird focused solely on its cleansing. As it lifted its head, giving a quick shake to settle its feathers, a last ray of morning light caught the curve of its beak, a brief highlight against the dark form.

Then, as if sensing the shift in the tide, it took a few purposeful steps forward, its head tilted slightly as it surveyed the water. In an instant, it was back to its search, its moment of preening over, ready once again to navigate the ever-changing shoreline.

The African Black Oystercatcher: A Coastal Sentinel

The African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini) is a striking bird native to the coastal regions of southern Africa. Endemic to this part of the world, it is often found along rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, and estuarine mudflats. Unlike its name suggests, oysters make up only a small part of its diet—these birds primarily feed on mussels, limpets, worms, and small crustaceans, prying them from rocks and sand with their powerful, chisel-like bills.

Listed as Near Threatened, the species has faced significant challenges due to habitat loss, human disturbances, and predation of its eggs by gulls and other opportunistic birds. However, conservation efforts, including the protection of breeding sites and public awareness campaigns, have helped stabilise populations in recent years.

Feathered Friends Collection

Welcome to our feathered friends, with their flights of fancy, twitchers' delight, and the lightest touch.

Ever-present in our lives, birds fill the skies, settle in tree branches, and thrive on the ground. Their movements fill us with delight and awe, and their silence is broken by delightful songs or anxious craws. This collection celebrates these moments in time with our feathered friends.

Sony A1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS, FL: 1176mm, S: 1/800s, A: F13, ISO: 2000.