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    Eurasian oystercatcher

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    The masters of catching oysters, clams, and cockles

    Rhododendrites








      Saved In:


    Eurasian oystercatcher

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

    The masters of catching oysters, clams, and cockles

    Population 925,000 – 1,030,000
    20 – 29% decline in 3 generations

    With its striking black and white plumage and distinctive red beak, it is undoubtedly one of the most iconic waders found across its range. Renowned for its elegance and adaptability, this species holds a prominent place in coastal ecosystems and is a subject of fascination for birdwatchers and researchers alike.

    Despite its name, the Eurasian Oystercatcher is not exclusively confined to oyster-rich habitats. While it does indeed feed on mollusks like oysters, mussels, and cockles, it also has a varied diet that includes worms, crustaceans, and insects. This adaptability allows it to thrive in a range of coastal environments, from saline marshes and sandy beaches to rocky shores and estuaries.

    During the breeding season, the Eurasian Oystercatcher exhibits a preference for nesting in saline marshes and on sandy beaches. However, it is not uncommon to find breeding pairs inland, in agricultural areas or near bodies of water such as lakes and rivers. This flexibility in habitat selection reflects the species’ ability to adapt to diverse landscapes and environmental conditions.

    In terms of distribution, the Eurasian Oystercatcher is widespread across Western Europe, Central Eurasia, Kamchatka, China, and the western coast of Korea during the breeding season. As the seasons change, it embarks on a southward migration to warmer regions, with some individuals wintering in North Africa and others along the coastlines of southern Europe. Even inland breeders join their coastal counterparts during the winter months, highlighting the species’ propensity for seasonal movements and nomadic behavior.

    Distribution

    Country
    Population est.
    Status
    Year
    Comments
    Afghanistan
    2019
    Passage
    Albania
    2019
    Algeria
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Austria
    2019
    Breeding
    Azerbaijan
    2019
    Bahrain
    2019
    Bangladesh
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Belarus
    2019
    Breeding
    Belgium
    2019
    Bosnia And Herz.
    2019
    Breeding
    Bulgaria
    2019
    Cape Verde
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    China
    2019
    Croatia
    2019
    Passage
    Cyprus
    2019
    Passage
    Czechia
    2019
    Passage
    Côte D’ivoire
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Denmark
    2019
    Djibouti
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Egypt
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Eritrea
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Estonia
    2019
    Breeding
    Ethiopia
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Faroe Islands
    2019
    Finland
    2019
    France
    2019
    Gambia
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Georgia
    2019
    Germany
    2019
    Ghana
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Gibraltar
    2019
    Passage
    Greece
    2019
    Guinea-Bissau
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Guinea
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Hungary
    2019
    Passage
    Iceland
    2019
    India
    2019
    Iran
    2019
    Iraq
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Ireland
    2019
    Israel
    2019
    Passage
    Italy
    2019
    Japan
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Jordan
    2019
    Passage
    Kazakhstan
    2019
    Breeding
    Kenya
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Korea
    2019
    Kuwait
    2019
    Kyrgyzstan
    2019
    Latvia
    2019
    Libya
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Lithuania
    2019
    Breeding
    Malta
    2019
    Passage
    Mauritania
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Moldova
    2019
    Breeding
    Montenegro
    2019
    Breeding
    Morocco
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Myanmar
    2019
    Netherlands
    2019
    Nigeria
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    North Korea
    2019
    Breeding
    North Macedonia
    2019
    Norway
    2019
    Oman
    2019
    Pakistan
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Poland
    2019
    Breeding
    Portugal
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Qatar
    2019
    Romania
    2019
    Russia
    2019
    Breeding
    Saudi Arabia
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Senegal
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Serbia
    2019
    Breeding
    Sierra Leone
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Slovakia
    2019
    Passage
    Somalia
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Spain
    2019
    Sri Lanka
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Sudan
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Sweden
    2019
    Switzerland
    2019
    Passage
    Syria
    2019
    Passage
    Taiwan
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Tajikistan
    2019
    Passage
    Tanzania
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Tunisia
    2019
    Non-Breeding
    Turkey
    2019
    Turkmenistan
    2019
    Breeding
    UAE
    2019
    Ukraine
    2019
    United Kingdom
    2019
    Uzbekistan
    2019
    Breeding
    Yemen
    2019

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    Get to know me

    Terrestrial / Aquatic

    Altricial / Precocial

    Polygamous / Monogamous

    Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

    Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

    Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

    Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

    Migratory: Yes / No

    Domesticated: Yes / No

    Dangerous: Yes / No

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE
    Near Threatened(IUCN)
    World Population 925,000 – 1,030,000

    20 – 29% decline in 3 generations


    Honorary Patron: BioDB
    Become a Patron

    Threats

    Habitat destruction / Climate change / Freshwater pollution / Marine pollution / Deforestation / Farming / Fishing practices / Poaching & wildlife trade / Invasive species / Parasites & diseases / Noise pollution / Light pollution

    My ID

    Scientific name: Haematopus ostralegus Other names:

    Common pied oystercatcher
    Palaearctic oystercatcher
    Oystercatcher

     Number of subspecies: 4 Name of subspecies:

    H. o. buturlini
    H. o. longipes
    H. o. osculans
    H. o. ostralegus

    Physical traits

    Length: 40 – 45 cm (16 – 18 in) Weight Male: 425 – 805 g (15 – 28 oz) Weight Female: 445 – 820 g (16 – 29 oz) Lifespan: 12 years Wingspan: 80 – 85 cm (31 – 33 in) Incubation: 24 – 35 days Eggs: 2 – 4 eggs
    Habitats: Coastal Marine Fresh water Lakes Rivers
    Regions: Africa Asia Europe
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