European Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The European Oystercatcher, more often called the Eurasian Oystercatcher in the U.S., is a black-and-white shorebird with a long red bill. It breeds in parts of Europe and Asia and is an exceptionally rare visitor to the United States.

Appearance

Appearance: Look for a black back, white belly, bright red-orange bill, and broad white wing stripe in flight.

Look-alikes

American OystercatcherHaematopus palliatus

An adult American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) has a yellow eye and a brownish-black back. An adult European Oystercatcher has a red eye and a black back; check the back on distant photos.

Why they get mixed upBoth are large black-and-white shorebirds with red bills.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: coastal mudflats
rocky shores
estuaries
Range: It breeds across parts of Europe and Asia, including the Korean coast. In the U.S., it has been documented as a rare visitor in western Alaska.

Behavior

Diet: It probes for shellfish and also eats crabs and marine worms.

Life cycle

Nest: It lays eggs in a shallow scrape on coastal ground.
Clutch size: 2–4 eggs

Name and classification

About the name: Regional forms include European Oystercatcher (H. o. ostralegus), Far Eastern Oystercatcher (H. o. osculans), and Siberian Oystercatcher (H. o. longipes). The Far Eastern form is the one found on Korean and Japanese coasts.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NTNear ThreatenedCould become threatened before long

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