All species
resident
Amber-listedWaders
Eurasian Oystercatcher
A striking black-and-white wader with a long, bright orange-red bill and matching legs. Oystercatchers are noisy, sociable birds of rocky and sandy shores, and increasingly inland waterways.
Haematopus ostralegus
Coastal Lakes Rivers Wetlands
Size
40-45 cm
Wingspan
75-85 cm
Weight
430-650 g
Lifespan
10-15 years
Diet
Mussels, cockles, worms and other invertebrates; uses its chisel-like bill to open shellfish.
Song & Call
A loud, piping 'kleep-kleep-kleep' call, often given in flight.
Tap play to listen0:00
Speed
Visualizer
Recording by Jochem verweij · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
How to identify
- Black and white plumage
- Long orange-red bill
- Bright pink legs
- White wing stripe in flight
Conservation
Amber-listed
Amber-listed; coastal populations depend on healthy shellfish stocks and undisturbed roost sites.
