Bird’s ID – American Oystercatcher

The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), occasionally called the American pied oystercatcher, is a member of family Haematopodidae. Originally called the “sea pie”, it was renamed in 1731 when naturalist Mark Catesby observed the bird eating oysters. The current population of American oystercatchers is estimated to be 43,000. There are estimated to be 1,500 breeding pairs along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the US.The bird is marked by its black and white body and a long, thick orange beak.

The American oystercatcher has distinctive black and white plumage and a long, bright orange beak. The head and breast are black and the back, wings and tail greyish-black. The underparts are white, as are feathers on the inner part of the wing which become visible during flight. The irises are yellow and the eyes have orange orbital rings. The legs are pink. Adults are between 42–52 cm (17–20 in) in length.

Photo Gallery

18 thoughts on “Bird’s ID – American Oystercatcher”

susanpoozan on October 10, 2018 at 11:10 am said:

Loved that closeup.

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- H.J. for avian101 on October 10, 2018 at 6:43 pm said:
  
  Thanks Susan,We were eye to eye… 🙂
  
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aussiebirder on October 10, 2018 at 6:03 pm said:

Great photos HJ! Your Oystercatchers are very similar to our Pied Oystercatchers.

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- H.J. for avian101 on October 10, 2018 at 6:58 pm said:
  
  You’re right Ashley, the major difference with all the ones in other Countries is the colors. Thank you my friend! 🙂
  
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Indira on October 10, 2018 at 6:48 pm said:

He got beautiful eyes!

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- H.J. for avian101 on October 10, 2018 at 6:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks Indira! 🙂
  
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Lisa Rest on October 10, 2018 at 11:14 pm said:

Love Oystercatchers. They’re so self-confident looking! Great photos. …Hope you are weathering Michael okay…worried about you.

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- H.J. for avian101 on October 11, 2018 at 5:22 pm said:
  
  Thank you Lisa! I’ll be writing about it tomorrow… We are fine! 🙂
  
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Jet Eliot on October 11, 2018 at 5:46 pm said:

Wonderful look at the American Oystercatcher, HJ. We do not get this species on the west U.S. coast, so it is a pleasure to see your excellent photos here.

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- H.J. for avian101 on October 11, 2018 at 5:51 pm said:
  
  Thank you my friend! These birds are cool, very reserved to their own kind and mind their own business. 🙂
  
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Clare Pooley on October 14, 2018 at 4:57 pm said:

I love oystercatchers! Beautiful shots, HJ!

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- H.J. for avian101 on October 14, 2018 at 5:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks Clare, I’m glad you like them. 🙂
  
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  - Clare Pooley on October 14, 2018 at 5:55 pm said:
    
    🙂
tanjabrittonwriter on October 17, 2018 at 1:26 am said:

I love your wonderful photos, H.J. The red eyes and red beaks are amazing.

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- H.J. for avian101 on October 17, 2018 at 2:01 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much Tanja. They are amazing birds… 🙂
  
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bayphotosbydonna on October 27, 2018 at 9:58 am said:

Stunning last capture, HJ! 🙂

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- H.J. for avian101 on October 27, 2018 at 1:41 pm said:
  
  Thank you Donna! If you lay on the ground they feel less intimidated with your human size. 🙂
  
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  - bayphotosbydonna on October 27, 2018 at 4:22 pm said:
    
    We’ll have to get Tyler to take a photo of you taking this shot! 😉