Photo: Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
American Oystercatcher
Haematopus palliatus
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of North America.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) is a member of the Haematopodidae family found in Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America. Adults weigh 601 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 palliatus
Where it lives
Widespread coastal western Mexico to south-central Chile; coastal northeastern USA to northern Gulf of Mexico, Yucatan Pen.; Caribbean (local) to southern Argentina
Quick facts
- Weight
- 601 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Haematopodidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The American Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The American Oystercatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) belongs to the Haematopodidae family of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America. Its distribution covers NA, MA, SA widespread coastal w Mexico to sc Chile; coastal ne USA to n Gulf of Mexico, Yucatan Pen.; Caribbean (local) to s Argentina.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 601 g, with a wing length of about 24.7 cm and a tail of around 9.6 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 1.5 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the American Oystercatcher?
The American Oystercatcher is a large bird that weighs around 601 g.
Where does the American Oystercatcher live?
The American Oystercatcher is found across Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America with a range covering NA, MA, SA widespread coastal w Mexico to sc Chile; coastal ne USA to n Gulf of Mexico, Yucatan Pen.; Caribbean (local) to s Argentina, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the American Oystercatcher belong to?
The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) belongs to the Haematopodidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the American Oystercatcher eat?
The American Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the American Oystercatcher migrate?
The American Oystercatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the American 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 American Oystercatcher make?
1 real field recording of the American Oystercatcher — including its duet — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the American Oystercatcher's range?
The American Oystercatcher has a mapped global range of about 1.5 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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