Clam Ticklers

[Shyanni]

In all the years I have been birdwatching I have never seen an Oyster Catcher eat an oyster. I've only ever seen them eat clams. My husband calls them Clam Ticklers, and that seems more appropriate to me. I took this series along the east coast of Vancouver Island this afternoon.








I watched this particular individual find and eat three clams within about 5 minutes. I have no idea how they 'shuck' the clams, but they do it quickly, seeming to just reach into the shell and pull the meat out with no apparent effort.