American Oystercatcher
The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), occasionally called the American pied oystercatcher, or PiruPiru, 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
HJ Ruiz – November 28th, 2023
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
These birds are an indication of clean water. In the Charleston area we have had many breeding pairs, good news for us. However storms are slowly shrinking their nesting areas here. A friend helped arrange to have the Army Corps. Engineers build up shrinking bars when they dredge the Charleston Harbor. First birds back were the Oyster Catchers. 😁😃
They love sand to build their nests and lay eggs. The sand has to be dry at all times but close to the shore. Thank you, Ted. 🙂
We have oyster shell mounds along the coast which they also like. 👍
I really enjoyed this gallery of oystercatcher photos, H.J.
Thank you very much, Jet. 🙂
Fabulous HJ They are the same everywhere I guess with twelve species worldwide.
This is the link for IJ’s Bird of the Week. This post is just perfect to link, great photos and information.
They look just like our oyster catchers.
Yes, they are Oystercatchers! Thanks, Tom. 🙂
Wonderful!
Thanks a lot, Carol. 🙂
Wonderful photos of the oystercatcher. Please consider displaying these (and other) photos in the Birds of the Week invitation.
Dear IJ, Thank you very much, you have to give me your email I will send you photos with their names and you figure out the research. You just give my name: HJ Ruiz and my WordPress address My email is : hjr4birds@gmail.com Thank you.
You don’t have to do anything complicated. Just leave a link to your post on the week’s invitation page. This week it’s here: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2023/11/28/indian-pond-heron-birds-of-the-week-invitation-xl/
What a striking bird!