The species name tricolor (TRY-color) is Latin in reference to the three colors of this bird: white, black, and brown-red. The common name is in honor of Alexander Wilson, an early American ornithologist. 

The Black Oystercatcher (BLOY) is 17-1/2” long.  Its genus Haematopus (he-MAT-oh-pus) is from the Greek haimatopous for blood foot, brightly colored feet.  The species name, bachmani, was given in 1838 by John James Audubon for his friend the Rev. John Bachman.

The species name melanocephala (mel-ah-no-SEFF-ah-lah) is from Greek melas, black, and kephale, head. “Turnstone” denotes the habit of these birds, and ruddy turnstones, of turning over, with its short, stout bill, stones, shells, seaweed and other objects in their search for food.