Photo: Jason Quinn (talk) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Blackish Oystercatcher
Haematopus ater
Blackish Oystercatcher (Haematopus ater) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of South America.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Blackish Oystercatcher (Haematopus ater) is a member of the Haematopodidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 724 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Haematopodidae Oystercatchers
- Genus Haematopus
- Species ater
Where it lives
Coastal northern Peru and southeastern Argentina to Cape Horn and Falkland Is.
Quick facts
- Weight
- 724 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Haematopodidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Blackish Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Blackish Oystercatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Blackish Oystercatcher (Haematopus ater) is a member of the Haematopodidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA coastal n Peru and se Argentina to Cape Horn and Falkland Is.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 724 g, with a wing length of about 26.1 cm and a tail of around 10.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 594,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Blackish Oystercatcher?
The Blackish Oystercatcher is a large bird that weighs around 724 g.
Where does the Blackish Oystercatcher live?
The Blackish Oystercatcher is found across South America with a range covering SA coastal n Peru and se Argentina to Cape Horn and Falkland Is, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Blackish Oystercatcher belong to?
The Blackish Oystercatcher (Haematopus ater) belongs to the Haematopodidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Blackish Oystercatcher eat?
The Blackish Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Blackish Oystercatcher migrate?
The Blackish Oystercatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Blackish Oystercatcher endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Blackish Oystercatcher make?
1 real field recording of the Blackish Oystercatcher — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Blackish Oystercatcher's range?
The Blackish Oystercatcher has a mapped global range of about 594,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Haematopodidae
Least Concern
Extinct
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Endangered
More in Shorebirds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern