Oystercatcher facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eurasian Oystercatcher
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Haematopodidae
Genus:	Haematopus
Species:	H. ostralegus
Binomial name
Haematopus ostralegus Linnaeus, 1758
Eurasian Oystercatcher range. Yellow = summer only, blue = winter only, green = all-year resident.

American oystercatcher

Juvenile oystercatcher

Oystercatchers are a group of waders, which are birds that often feed in shallow water or on wet ground. They belong to a special bird family called Haematopodidae. There is only one genus (a group of closely related species) in this family, named Haematopus.

You can find oystercatchers on coasts all over the world. They are not found in very cold polar regions or some hot tropical areas. Most oystercatchers live near the sea, but some, like the Eurasian oystercatcher and the South Island oystercatcher, live far inland. The name "oystercatcher" was first used in 1731 for a North American bird that was seen eating oysters. Before that, they were sometimes called "sea pies." The scientific name Haematopus comes from ancient Greek words meaning "blood foot," likely because of their red legs.

What Do Oystercatchers Look Like?

All types of oystercatchers look quite similar. They are medium to large birds, usually between 39 and 50 centimeters (about 15 to 20 inches) long. Their wingspan can be from 72 to 91 centimeters (about 28 to 36 inches).

Most oystercatchers are either completely black or have black (or dark brown) feathers on top and white feathers underneath. The variable oystercatcher is special because it can be all black or black and white. These birds are easy to spot and can be quite noisy.

Their Amazing Bills

Oystercatchers have very long, strong, orange or red bills. They use these bills to break open or pry apart molluscs, like clams and mussels. The shape of their bill can be different depending on what they eat. Some have bills like blades to smash shells, while others have pointed bills to dig for worms.

Female oystercatchers usually have slightly longer bills and are a bit heavier than males. This difference between males and females is called sexual dimorphism.

What Do Oystercatchers Eat?

What an oystercatcher eats depends on where it lives. Birds that live inland often eat earthworms and insect larvae (baby insects).

Coastal oystercatchers have a more varied diet. If they live in estuaries (where rivers meet the sea), they mostly eat bivalves (like clams), snails, and different kinds of worms. On rocky shores, they prefer limpets, mussels, snails, and chitons (another type of mollusc). Sometimes, they also eat echinoderms (like sea urchins), fish, and crabs.

Oystercatcher Reproduction and Life Cycle

Most oystercatcher species are monogamous, meaning one male and one female stay together to raise their young. However, some Eurasian oystercatchers have been known to have more than one mate.

During the breeding season, oystercatchers are very territorial. This means they defend their nesting area from other birds. Once a pair finds a good spot, they often return to it year after year. Some pairs have even defended the same spot for 20 years!

Nests and Eggs

Oystercatchers usually make one nesting attempt per year during the summer months. Their nests are quite simple: just a shallow scrape in the ground. They might line it with a few bits of material. They choose a spot where they can see well around them.

The eggs of oystercatchers are spotted, which helps them blend in with their surroundings. This is called being "cryptic." They usually lay between one and four eggs. In the Northern Hemisphere, three eggs are common, while in the Southern Hemisphere, two eggs are more typical.

Both parents share the job of incubating (sitting on) the eggs to keep them warm. Females tend to do more of the incubating, while males spend more time defending their territory. Incubation can last from 24 to 39 days, depending on the species.

Interestingly, oystercatchers sometimes lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, like seagulls. This is called "egg dumping." The other birds then end up raising the oystercatcher chicks.

Oystercatcher Conservation

Sadly, one species, the Canary Islands oystercatcher, became extinct (died out completely) in the 20th century.

The Chatham oystercatcher lives only on the Chatham Islands in New Zealand. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN, which means it is at a very high risk of extinction. Both the African and Eurasian oystercatchers are considered "near threatened," meaning they might become endangered in the future.

Sometimes, there have been disagreements between oystercatchers and people who farm shellfish. However, studies have shown that oystercatchers have a much smaller impact on shellfish farms compared to shore crabs. Protecting these unique birds is important for keeping our coastal ecosystems healthy.

Species

Species in taxonomic order
Common name	Binomial	Image
Magellanic oystercatcher	H. leucopodus
Blackish oystercatcher	H. ater
Black oystercatcher	H. bachmani
American oystercatcher	H. palliatus
Canary Islands oystercatcher	H. meadewaldoi †
African oystercatcher	H. moquini
Eurasian oystercatcher or Palaearctic oystercatcher	H. ostralegus
Pied oystercatcher	H. longirostris
South Island oystercatcher	H. finschi
Chatham oystercatcher	H. chathamensis
Variable oystercatcher	H. unicolor
Sooty oystercatcher	H. fuliginosus

Images for kids

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  American oystercatchers with chick

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  Oystercatcher chicks and eggs