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Field Guide for all the Birds of North America

Oystercatchers

Huîtriers

Haematopodidae

Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities

There are two types of the native species of oystercatchers found in North America. The American Oystercatcher has the largest range and is found along the Atlantic coast of the USA, through the Gulf of Mexico and along the extreme southern coast of California into Mexico. The Black Oystercatcher is seen from Alaska, through the Canadian coastlines and down into California along the Pacific Ocean. On rare occasions, there have been sightings of the vagrant species called the European Oystercatcher, along the northern and central coastlines of the Atlantic Ocean.

Oystercatchers are sturdy looking shorebirds and both species have similarities, such as their large reddish-orange bills, red-ringed yellow eyes and their yellow legs. The loud call of the birds can be heard while the birds are searching through the weed beds looking for their food.

Click on the bird names listed below to see pictures of the Oystercatchers seen in North America

American Oystercatcher

Black Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher

References to Other Bird Sites:

Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.

ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.

I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.

Classic Collection of North American Birds

CCNAB