Haematopus ostralegus
Eurasian Oystercatcher
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.
Length
40cm to 45cm
Wingspan
80cm to 85cm
Weight
430g to 650g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black White
Beak Colour
Orange Red
Leg Colour
Pink
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Sea level to 1,200 meters
Temperate, Subarctic
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Eurasian Oystercatchers primarily feed on bivalve molluscs, particularly mussels and cockles. They also consume worms, crustaceans, and occasionally small fish.
Their specialised bill allows them to open shellfish skillfully, either by hammering or prising them apart, a behaviour that varies among individuals.
Interestingly, differences in food preferences between juveniles, adult males, and adult females may limit competition for prey.
Eurasian Oystercatchers are highly vocal and social birds. They are often seen in large flocks outside the breeding season. Their strong bills allow them to pry open molluscs or probe for worms in mud and sand.
These birds are known for their territorial displays, which include piping calls and dramatic posturing.
Eurasian Oystercatchers are known for their loud, far-carrying calls. Their most characteristic vocalisation is a sharp, piercing 'kleep-kleep' or 'pic-pic'.
During the breeding season, they produce a rapid piping trill, often used in territorial disputes or as an alarm call. These birds call from the ground or in flight, either singly or during piping displays of groups of birds.
Breeding season for Eurasian Oystercatchers typically begins in April. They form monogamous pairs and often return to the same nesting site each year. Courtship involves elaborate displays and vocalisations.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, usually near water. They are lined with shells, pebbles, or vegetation. Females lay 2-4 eggs, which are pale buff with dark speckles, providing excellent camouflage.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 24-27 days. Chicks are precocial and can leave the nest within hours of hatching, but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks before fledging.
The Eurasian Oystercatcher is classified as Near Threatened due to population declines in parts of its range. Habitat loss, coastal development, and disturbance at breeding sites are significant threats.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting coastal habitats and managing human activities in key breeding areas.
Common Oystercatcher, European Oystercatcher
12 years
43 years [4]
Main predators include large gulls, raptors such as Peregrine Falcons, and ground predators like foxes and rats, which primarily target eggs and chicks.
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Haematopus ostralegus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22693613A154998347.
View sourcereport, 2019: Wetlands International