The Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) also known as the common pied oystercatcher, or (in Europe) just oystercatcher, is a wader in the oystercatcher bird family Haematopodidae. It has striking black and white plumage, a long straight orange-red bill, red eyes and relatively short dull pink legs. The sexes are similar in appearance but the bill of the female is longer than that of the male.
This Blog contains Wildlife and Bird Photos from Walks, Safaris, Birding Trips and Vacations. Most of the pictures have been taken with my Nikon P900 and P950X cameras. On the right of the page are labels for each species of Bird/Animal etc. Click on a label to show all of the photos taken for that species. Information for each species is from Wikipedia. Just click on any image for a large picture.
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Thursday, 17 October 2024
8-10-2024 BLENNERVILLE, IRELAND - EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ostralegus)
Sunday, 6 October 2024
6-10-2024 TARBERT ISLAND, IRELAND - EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ostralegus)
It is the most widespread of the oystercatchers, with three races breeding in western Europe, central Eurosiberia, Kamchatka, China, and the western coast of Korea. No other oystercatcher occurs within this area.
Eurasian oystercatchers have black and white plumage, pink legs, and a strong broad red bill used for smashing or prising open mollusks. The sexes are similar in plumage but the female has a longer bill than the male. This oystercatcher is unmistakable in flight, with white patches on the wings and tail, otherwise black upperparts, and white underparts. Young birds are more brown, have a white neck collar, and a duller bill.
Eurasian oystercatchers breed in western Europe, central Eurosiberia, Kamchatka, China, and the western coast of Korea. No other oystercatcher occurs within this area. Eurasian oystercatchers are migratory over most of their range. They can be found on coastal saltmarshes, beaches, and dunes, along the shores of lakes, or rivers. They can also occur on agricultural grass and fields not far from water.