Oystercatchers

Oystercatchers are one of the most recognisable seabirds with their distinctive ‘peep’ which can be heard around rocky, muddy shores and some inland bodies of water.

Oystercatchers can be identified by their black head, back and wings and white underside but their most identifiable feature is their long, orange-red bill and pinky-red legs.

Oystercatchers feed on mostly shellfish, utilising their strong, narrow bill to prise cockles, mussels and other shellfish open with. We see Oystercatchers around the coastline, where they typically choose to spend their time, however recently, they’ve also started to spend more time inland in the muddy marshes and lakes.

How to identify a Oystercatcher:

• Body length – 40-45cm
• Wingspan – 83cm
• Black head, back and wings
• Long, red-orange bill
• Pinky-red legs
• Loud ‘peep’ sound