Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegus
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
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Eurasian Oystercatcher demonstrates considerable agility in its coastal habitat. Its ability to navigate rocky shores, probe for food in various substrates, and perform elaborate courtship displays suggests a high degree of physical dexterity.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
With a robust build and specialised bill for prying open molluscs, the Oystercatcher possesses significant strength for its size. Its capacity to hammer and open shellfish indicates substantial upper body power.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
This species shows remarkable adaptability, thriving in diverse coastal environments and increasingly in inland habitats. Its ability to employ different feeding techniques and adjust to various breeding locations demonstrates high adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Eurasian Oystercatchers exhibit moderate aggressiveness, particularly during breeding season. Their territorial displays, loud vocalisations, and willingness to defend nesting sites against intruders indicate a notable level of assertiveness.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
With the ability to undertake partial migrations and survive in challenging coastal environments, the Oystercatcher displays impressive endurance. Its longevity (potentially over 40 years in the wild) and capacity for sustained foraging activities further support this high endurance rating.
Diet
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.
Behaviour
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.
Vocalisation
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.
Nesting & Breeding
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.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Oystercatchers along rocky or sandy coastlines, especially during low tide.
- Listen for their loud, piercing 'kleep-kleep' calls, which are often heard before the birds are seen.
- Observe their distinctive feeding behaviour, using their bills to hammer open shellfish.
- In the UK, watch for them inland during breeding season near rivers and lakes.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Common Oystercatcher, European Oystercatcher
Family:
HaematopodidaeAverage Lifespan
12 years
Max Lifespan
43 years [4]
Predators
Main predators include large gulls, raptors such as Peregrine Falcons, and ground predators like foxes and rats, which primarily target eggs and chicks.
Did You Know?
- Eurasian Oystercatchers can live for over 40 years in the wild.
- They don't exclusively eat oysters; mussels and cockles form a larger part of their diet.
- Some individuals specialise in opening shellfish by hammering, while others use a stabbing technique.
- Oystercatchers have just three forward-facing toes, which helps to spread their weight to stop them from sinking in the mud.
- Despite their common name, oysters are not the most important component of the Oystercatcher's diet
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Haematopus ostralegus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22693613A154998347.
View source - 2 3 4
report, 2019: Wetlands International
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