American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) - 10Jun2017

This is another bird taken for granted in southeast North Carolina simply because they are ubiquitous.  However, if I was a birder from Mars and saw this bird on a Earth vacation, it would be one of my instant favorites.  The color scheme, the fleshy cankles, red eye-ring and the crazy calls all make this a real crowd pleaser.  Below parent with chick photographed on Wrightsville Beach, NC.