Photo: MPF / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegus
Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) is a member of the Haematopodidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 526 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Haematopodidae Oystercatchers
- Genus Haematopus
- Species ostralegus
Where it lives
Northwestern, southwestern, central Palearctic; far northeastern Palearctic
Quick facts
- Weight
- 526 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Haematopodidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Eurasian Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Eurasian Oystercatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) is a member of the Haematopodidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL nw, sw, c Palearctic; far ne Palearctic.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 526 g, with a wing length of about 25 cm and a tail of around 10.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 9.5 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Eurasian Oystercatcher?
The Eurasian Oystercatcher is a large bird that weighs around 526 g.
Where does the Eurasian Oystercatcher live?
The Eurasian Oystercatcher is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL nw, sw, c Palearctic; far ne Palearctic, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Eurasian Oystercatcher belong to?
The Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) belongs to the Haematopodidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Eurasian Oystercatcher eat?
The Eurasian Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Eurasian Oystercatcher migrate?
The Eurasian Oystercatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Eurasian Oystercatcher endangered?
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
What sound does the Eurasian Oystercatcher make?
1 real field recording of the Eurasian 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 Eurasian Oystercatcher's range?
The Eurasian Oystercatcher has a mapped global range of about 9.5 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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