Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegus
Where is it found?
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Lakes, rivers, estuaries and shorelines
Diet and foraging method
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Picking up prey from the mud, and cracking open, or smashing the shells
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Key adaptations
The Oystercatcher's strong, flattened beak allows them to crack open the shells of bivalves which other birds cannot exploit.
Social organisation
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Often solitary while feeding but sometimes feed in small groups
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Roost in large groups
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Form socially monogamous breeding pairs
Did you know that...?
Despite the name, Oystercatchers do not eat many oysters, but are one of the only birds capable of opening their shells.
Taxonomy
Picture credits:
Maps from: http://species.mol.org/species/
"Eurasian-Oystercatcher" by Andreas Trepte - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eurasian-Oystercatcher.jpg#/media/File:Eurasian-Oystercatcher.jpg
"Haematopus ostralegus He2" by Andreas Trepte] - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haematopus_ostralegus_He2.jpg#/media/File:Haematopus_ostralegus_He2.jpg
"Haematopus ostralegus MHNT" by Didier Descouens - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haematopus_ostralegus_MHNT.jpg#/media/File:Haematopus_ostralegus_MHNT.jpg
"Tjeldegg" by Arnstein Rønning - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tjeldegg.jpg#/media/File:Tjeldegg.jpg
"Oystercatcher.fo.3" by User:Erik - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oystercatcher.fo.3.jpg#/media/File:Oystercatcher.fo.3.jpg
"Haematopus ostralegus He" by Andreas Trepte - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haematopus_ostralegus_He.jpg#/media/File:Haematopus_ostralegus_He.jpg
"Eurasian-Oystercatcher" by Andreas Trepte - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eurasian-Oystercatcher.jpg#/media/File:Eurasian-Oystercatcher.jpg
"Haematopus ostralegus He2" by Andreas Trepte] - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haematopus_ostralegus_He2.jpg#/media/File:Haematopus_ostralegus_He2.jpg
"Haematopus ostralegus MHNT" by Didier Descouens - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haematopus_ostralegus_MHNT.jpg#/media/File:Haematopus_ostralegus_MHNT.jpg
"Tjeldegg" by Arnstein Rønning - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tjeldegg.jpg#/media/File:Tjeldegg.jpg
"Oystercatcher.fo.3" by User:Erik - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oystercatcher.fo.3.jpg#/media/File:Oystercatcher.fo.3.jpg
"Haematopus ostralegus He" by Andreas Trepte - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haematopus_ostralegus_He.jpg#/media/File:Haematopus_ostralegus_He.jpg
