The American Oystercatcher is a distinctive, large shorebird found on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Their range also includes the Pacific coast of Mexico, and both coasts of South America. They are similar in structure and general appearance to the Black Oystercatcher, but the ranges of the two species do not overlap, and each are found in different habitats. The American Oystercatcher is found on open beaches and mudflats, while the Black Oystercatcher is found on rocky shorelines.
Habitat
Found exclusively in coastal zones with large expanses of sand beach or mudflats.
Diet
Primarily feeds on shellfish, but will also feed on a variety of other coastal animals such as jellyfish, marine worms, crabs, and sea urchins.
Behavior
Forages by walking on the shore or in shallow water, locating food by sight. When finding a shellfish, the Oystercatcher will either directly smash the shell to retrieve the inner contents, or will directly access the meat if a shellfish is partially open. They will also sometimes probe in the mud or sand with their bills to feed on marine worms and other creatures.
Nesting
The nest of an American Oystercatcher is a shallow depression in the sand, lined with small rocks and shells. Both the male and female help to incubate the eggs. Upon hatching, the young leave the nest, where they are tended to and fed by both parents.
Interactive eBird Map
Click to access an interactive eBird map of American Oystercatcher sightings
Song
The American Oystercatcher has various calls including a loud single-syllable yip, and a series of whistled alarm calls.
Migration
Many American Oystercatchers are permanent residents. However, other birds obviously are migratory, as there are winter populations in parts of the Caribbean and Central America that are absent during the summer months.
Similar Species
Black Oystercatcher has the same overall structure, but white underside on American Oystercatcher makes differentiating the two species quite easy, as does the non-overlapping range. American Oystercatchers are also quite similar in overall appearance to the Eurasian Oystercatcher, but that species is only an extremely rare visitor to North America.
Conservation Status
Populations crashed by 1900 due to hunting and habitat loss. Since then, numbers have rebounded, and the species seems to have adapted fairly well to a human presence in and around coastal zones. The IUCN lists the American Oystercatcher as a species of "Least Concern".
Further Information
- eBird - American Oystercatcher
- Audubon Field Guide - American Oystercatcher
- Cornell All About Birds - American Oystercatcher
Photo Information
Photo taken by Steven Bedard - licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.
