Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegus

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is a distinctive wader with a long, orange-red bill, black head, white belly, and brown wings. It is commonly found along the coastlines and estuaries of Europe and Asia. This bird is known for its loud, piping call and its distinctive feeding behavior of prying open mollusks and bivalves with its strong bill. The Eurasian Oystercatcher is a monogamous bird, and it nests on shingle beaches, salt marshes, and coastal dunes. It is a migratory species, with populations wintering in southern Europe and Africa. Despite facing threats from habitat loss and disturbance, the Eurasian Oystercatcher is considered a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.

Habitat: Coastlines, estuaries, salt marshes