Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegus

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is a striking black and white bird with a long orange beak. They love to live near the coast where they can find tasty shellfish to eat.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Eurasian Oystercatcher has striking black and white plumage, often with a white belly and black back. Its most distinctive features are its long, bright orange-red bill, pink legs, and a vivid red eye. This stocky shorebird stands out easily.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyHaematopodidaeGenusHaematopus

Photo: Andreas TrepteCC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Interesting facts

During winter, thousands of these birds gather in massive flocks on coastal mudflats.

Some Oystercatchers are homebodies, staying in the same coastal spot their whole lives!

They can live a surprisingly long time, some wild birds reaching over 30 years!

Young Oystercatchers need over a year to master the tricky skill of opening shellfish!

Special abilities

Eurasian Oystercatcher can use its strong, chisel-shaped bill to pry open or hammer shellfish for food.

Eurasian Oystercatcher has excellent eyesight that helps them spot hidden worms or shellfish in the sand.

Eurasian Oystercatcher can make piercing, whistling calls that help them warn others or claim their territory.

Measurements & details

Length: 40-45 cm
Wingspan: 76-86 cm
Weight: 0.42-0.82 kg
Lifespan: 10-30 years
Speed: 65 km/h
Clutch Size: 2-4
Incubation: 26-28 days
Migration Distance: 3000 km

Diet & Feeding

They feast on tasty mussels, cockles, and worms dug from the sand along the shore.

Age differences: Juveniles must learn specific techniques for opening shellfish, which takes practice and time.

Primary Foods

mussels
cockles
limpets
marine worms
crabs

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

Eaten by

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Hunts adults and juveniles.

Eaten by

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinus

Preys on eggs and chicks.

Eats

Common Mussel

Mytilus edulis

Pries open shells for food.

Eats

Lugworm

Arenicola marina

Probes sand to find these worms.

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Tool Use

This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.

Carnivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.

Diurnal

Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

Speedster

This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Birds

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you see a bird's nest, be careful not to disturb it. Always watch birds from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Eurasian Oystercatcher?

Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Eurasian Oystercatcher?

40-45 cm

What is Eurasian Oystercatcher's wingspan?

76-86 cm

How much does Eurasian Oystercatcher weigh?

0.42-0.82 kg

How long does Eurasian Oystercatcher live?

10-30 years

How fast can Eurasian Oystercatcher move?

65 km/h

What does Eurasian Oystercatcher eat?

They feast on tasty mussels, cockles, and worms dug from the sand along the shore.