Oystercatchers are large, conspicuous shorebirds that inhabit coastal regions worldwide. With their bright orange-red bills and bold black and white plumage, oystercatchers are unmistakable. However, with around a dozen oystercatcher species worldwide, identification to species can be tricky. This article will guide you through the key identification features to look for when trying to identify an oystercatcher in the field. We’ll cover topics like size, plumage patterns, bill shape, behavior, habitat, and range to help you confidently separate the different oystercatcher species. Read on to become an oystercatcher identification expert!
Distinguishing Features of Oystercatchers
All oystercatchers share some core features that make them readily identifiable as members of this group:
- Large, thick, straight bill that is longer than the head
- Bright red, orange, or pink bill color
- Black and white plumage
- Long, fleshy, obvious legs
- Feed along shores and intertidal zones
The combination of these features separates oystercatchers from all other shorebirds. If you see a big shorebird with a chunky red bill probing for food along the coast, you’re almost certainly looking at an oystercatcher. But which one? Read on for more details.
Oystercatcher Species
There are between 11-12 species of oystercatchers worldwide. The major species include:
Eurasian Oystercatcher
- Found along the coasts of Europe and Asia
- Entirely black above and white below
- Bright orange-red bill
- Pink legs
- Large white “horseshoe” around the eye
American Oystercatcher
- Found along Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America
- Black head, neck, breast, and back
- White underparts
- Bright orange bill
- Pink legs
Black Oystercatcher
- Found along Pacific coast of North and South America
- Entirely black plumage
- Red bill
- Pink legs
African Black Oystercatcher
- Found along coasts of southern Africa
- Entirely black plumage
- Red bill
- Red legs
Variable Oystercatcher
- Found in Australia and New Zealand
- Black upperparts, white underparts
- Red bill
- Pink legs
- High degree of variation in plumage
There are a number of other, more localized oystercatcher species such as the Canary Islands Oystercatcher, Chatham Oystercatcher, and Sooty Oystercatcher. But the five species above make up the widespread, readily seen oystercatchers worldwide.
Plumage Patterns
When identifying an unknown oystercatcher, start by assessing the bird’s overall plumage pattern. Is the bird entirely black, or does it show contrasting black and white markings? If black and white, does the black cover just the head, neck and upperparts (as in the Eurasian and American Oystercatchers) or is the entire body black (as in the Black Oystercatcher)? Having a solid grasp on the basic plumage patterns will narrow the possibilities substantially.
Pay attention to the extent of white on the bird. American and Eurasian Oystercatchers have white bellies, undertails, and white markings on the wings in flight. If the bird shows no white whatsoever, only two options remain: the all-black African and Black Oystercatchers.
Plumage variation in the Variable Oystercatcher complicates matters slightly. Some individuals are nearly all black with minimal white, while others appear very similar to the black and white pattern of the Eurasian Oystercatcher. Look closely for variable amounts of white on the head, belly, and wings.
Bill Color
The bright red, orange, or pink bill is an oystercatcher’s most obvious feature. But note that bill color varies somewhat between species. Eurasian and American Oystercatchers have bright orange bills, while Black and African Black Oystercatchers have deeper red bills. Variable Oystercatchers have scarlet-colored bills. Bill color alone shouldn’t be used to identify an oystercatcher, but when considered with plumage features it adds another useful clue.
Also note bill shape and length. The African Black Oystercatcher has a notably slim and pointed bill compared to the thicker, blunter bills of the other species. The Canary Islands Oystercatcher has a very elongated bill. Subtle bill differences like these provide additional help with identification.
Legs and Eye Ring
Most oystercatchers share pink or flesh-colored legs, but African Black Oystercatchers have bright red legs. Also look at the area around the eye. Eurasian Oystercatchers have a large white “horseshoe” that surrounds the eye and extends down the neck. American Oystercatchers have a smaller ring of white feathers encircling just the eye itself. This eye ring is missing entirely in the all-black species.
Behavior and Habitat
Oystercatchers are highly coastal birds, so finding one far inland would be exceptional. Pay attention to subtleties of habitat: American Oystercatchers live almost exclusively on saltwater coasts, while Black Oystercatchers are more likely along rocky shorelines. Eurasian Oystercatchers commonly feed on grassy fields and agricultural land in addition to coastal areas.
Feeding behavior also differs. Black and American Oystercatchers use their bills to pry open bivalves and other shellfish. Eurasian Oystercatchers probe more frequently in soft mud for worms and insects. Variable Oystercatchers pry limpets off rocks. Getting a sense for how the bird is feeding lends more clues to its identity.
Vocalizations may help too. American and Eurasian Oystercatchers have high, piercing piping calls. African Black and Black Oystercatchers have lower crooning or guttural calls.
Range and Geography
Knowing where you are in the world narrows down the possibilities substantially. The ranges of the various oystercatcher species are fairly restricted:
- Eurasian Oystercatcher: Europe and Asia
- American Oystercatcher: Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of North America
- Black Oystercatcher: Pacific Coast of the Americas
- African Black Oystercatcher: Coastal southern Africa
- Variable Oystercatcher: New Zealand and Australia
Only in New Zealand do two regularly occurring species overlap (Variable and South Island Pied Oystercatchers). So if you’re observing an oystercatcher well inland in North America, for example, your options are limited to just one species—the American Oystercatcher.
Use a Field Guide
With a bit of practice, one can go a long way toward identifying an unknown oystercatcher by relying on the plumage, bill, and geographic clues above. Still, it’s wise to have a good field guide handy to view similar species side by side and confirm your ID. Field guides will provide additional tips on subtle features to separate the species. They are an essential tool for confirming uncertain identifications.
Take Some Photos
Photographing the oystercatcher you’re trying to identify will give you the opportunity to scrutinize the finer details later and cement the identification. Look for oystercatcher photos online for additional comparison. Over time, you’ll develop a search image for the subtle differences between species that will allow you to identify them more and more easily in the field.
Conclusion
Identifying those handsome black and white shorebirds with the gaudy red bills takes practice, but is very achievable with a bit of knowledge and preparation. By learning the species’ plumage patterns, bill shapes, geographic distributions, behaviors, and unique markings you’ll be differentiating Eurasian Oystercatchers from American in no time. Consult a good field guide, take some photos, and get out there observing oystercatchers along the shore. Your identification skills will improve with each encounter.