Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegus

Striking black-and-white shorebirds with bright orange bills, these skilled hunters probe coastal mudflats for tasty bivalve molluscs.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is a striking, crow-sized wader with distinctive black and white plumage. Its long, bright orange-red bill, pink legs, and red eye-ring contrast sharply with its pied body.

Adults have a glossy black head, neck, and upper parts, with a white rump and underparts. In flight, a bold white wing stripe is visible.

Females are difficult to distinguish from males, although they are slightly larger on average. They also have longer bills, which may be used to access different food sources.

Juveniles resemble adults but have a duller bill and a brown tinge to their plumage. They also lack the bright red eye and eye ring.

Size

Length

40cm to 45cm

Wingspan

80cm to 85cm

Weight

430g to 650g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White

Beak Colour

Orange Red

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Eurasian Oystercatcher can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Eurasian Oystercatcher can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Eurasian Oystercatchers inhabit coastal areas across Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa. They prefer rocky shores, sandy beaches, estuaries, and frequent salt marshes and mudflats.

During breeding, some populations move inland to river valleys and lakes. In the UK, they are widespread along coasts and increasingly common inland, while in continental Europe, they range from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,200 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Eurasian Oystercatcher. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons