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.