Photo: DickDaniels (http://theworldbirds.org/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Shorebirds

African Oystercatcher

Haematopus moquini

African Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.

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The African Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini) is a member of the Haematopodidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 692 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Haematopodidae Oystercatchers
Genus Haematopus
Species moquini

Where it lives

Coastal northern Namibia to Kwa-Zulu Natal (southern Africa)

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 692 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Haematopodidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Near Threatened

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The African Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The African Oystercatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The African Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini) belongs to the Haematopodidae family of the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF coastal n Namibia to Kwa-Zulu Natal (s Africa).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 692 g, with a wing length of about 26.7 cm and a tail of around 10.7 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 137,000 km².

Songs & calls

African Oystercatcher — Flight call

Recorded by Nature sounds by Simply Birding Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the African Oystercatcher?

The African Oystercatcher is a large bird that weighs around 692 g.

Where does the African Oystercatcher live?

The African Oystercatcher is found across Africa with a range covering AF coastal n Namibia to Kwa-Zulu Natal (s Africa), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the African Oystercatcher belong to?

The African Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini) belongs to the Haematopodidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the African Oystercatcher eat?

The African Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the African Oystercatcher migrate?

The African Oystercatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the African 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 African Oystercatcher make?

1 real field recording of the African Oystercatcher — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the African Oystercatcher's range?

The African Oystercatcher has a mapped global range of about 137,000 km².