Animal Corner

Discover the many amazing animals that live on our planet.

  • Home
  • A-Z Animals
  • Anatomy
  • Glossary
  • Quizzes
  • Dog Breeds
  • Animal Care
You are here: Home / Animals / American Oystercatcher Bird

American Oystercatcher Bird

Image Source

The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) is a common sight on rocky and sandy beaches and saltwater lagoons on Galapagos. It has a bright red bill which it uses as an oyster shell opener. The American Oystercatcher has black and white plumage, the top part of its body and its wings are black, the underparts white.

American Oystercatchers feed on crustaceans and molluscs and are also able to open crab shells with their strong beaks.

These handsome looking countershaded waders use their bright beak to stab a bivalve between the shells of many moluscs and slice the strong adductor muscles to get at the meat inside.

The American Oystercatcher has a loud shrill call and is frequently both seen and heard around the shoreline.

American Oystercatcher

American Oystercatchers patrol the beaches for food and are somewhat approachable, they actually come close to the tourists. Chicks are often seen trying to get their own food when just a few weeks old. This behaviour is typical of shore birds who are less dependant on their parents than sea birds.

Although American Oystercatcher populations are low, the species is not protected under the Endangered Species Act.

American Oystercatchers are listed as a species of concern in several states because of low and declining populations, and threats to coastal habitats.

Threats include development and recreational use of nesting beaches.

Oystercatcher species list:

Magellanic Oystercatcher, H. leucopodus
Blackish Oystercatcher, H. ater
American Black Oystercatcher, H. bachmani
American Oystercatcher, H. palliatus
Canarian Black Oystercatcher, H. meadewaldoi †
African Black Oystercatcher, H. moquini
Eurasian Oystercatcher, H. ostralegus
Pied Oystercatcher, H. longirostris
South Island Pied Oystercatcher, H. finschi
Chatham Island Oystercatcher, H. chathamensis
Variable Oystercatcher, H. unicolor
Sooty Oystercatcher, H. fuliginosus

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About

  • Galapagos Willet Bird
  • Galapagos Lava Gull Bird
  • Galapagos Rail Bird
  • Galapagos Flycatcher Bird
  • Galapagos Masked Booby Bird
  • Galapagos Yellow Warbler Bird

Search the Animals

Most Popular Animals

  • Zebras
  • Aquatic Warbler
  • Atlantic Dolphins
  • Trapdoor Spider
  • Giraffe
  • Meerkats
  • Timber Wolf
  • Praying Mantis
  • Huntsman Spider
  • Vampire Bat

Galapagos Islands

galapagos-islands

Animal Names Glossary

Animal Names

British Wildlife

british-wildlife

Mammals

anatomy

Dog Breeds

anatomy

Latest Buying Guides

  • The Best 20 Gallon Fish Tank Guide – 2021
  • The Best 5 Gallon Fish Tank Guide – 2021
  • The Best Aquarium Vacuum Buyers Guide – 2021
  • The Best Goldfish Food Buyers Guide – 2021
  • The Best Aquarium Rock Buyers Guide – 2021

Copyright © 2005-2020 · Animal Corner · All Rights Reserved · Affiliate Disclaimer

AnimalCorner.co.uk is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.