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Oystercatchers

Oystercatchers are wading birds in the family Haematopodidae, with one genus, Haematopus, and are found on coastlines worldwide except in extreme regions like the polar areas and some parts of Africa and Southeast Asia. Some, including the Eurasian, South Island, and Magellanic oystercatchers, also breed inland. Carl Linnaeus first described them in 1758, and the family name is derived from Greek words meaning "blood" and "foot," a nod to the red legs of the Eurasian species. They are notable for their black and white plumage, large size (39-50 cm in length and a wingspan of 72-91 cm), and loud calls. Possessing long, powerful bills typically orange or red, they feed on a variety of shoreline and inland prey, from molluscs and worms to crustaceans and insects, with bill shapes adapted to their specific diets. Oystercatchers are generally monogamous and territorial during breeding, creating simple ground nests with good visibility and laying cryptic eggs that are shared between partners, though females usually incubate more. Conservation concerns exist, as some species like the Canary Islands oystercatcher are extinct and others are threatened, partially due to conflicts with commercial shellfishing. There are twelve species recognized, with a range spanning various locales from North and South America to Europe, Asia, and islands like New Zealand.

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Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
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Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
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I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
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Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
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We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
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A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
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A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
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