Image Credit: naturepicsonline.com

Shore Birds - Range Map

The American Oystercatcher is one of the most boldly patterned of North American shorebirds.

Description: Measuring about 18 inches in length, the oystercatcher has a black head, and long, sharp red bill. It has conspicuous red eye rings and yellow eyes. The back and wings are brown with a large white wing patch. The underparts and rump are white. The legs are long and pale pink. Males and females are similar.

Diet: The American Oystercatcher uses its specially adapted bill to pry open and eat clams, mussels, oysters, and other bivalves.

Range: The American Oystercatcher breeds along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Florida, along the Gulf coast from Florida to Texas, and along the Pacific coast from Baja California to southern California. Birds in the northern section of the range migrate south in the winter. It also breeds in the Caribbean islands, coastal Mexico, and along the southern coasts of South America.

Habitat: Sandy beaches, mudflats, rocky shores.

Status: The American Oystercatcher is uncommon. The North American population may be no more than 10,000 birds. It is very vulnerable to any environmental damage that occurs in its range.