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Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegus

Some open shellfish by hammering, others by stabbing between the shells, and the young learn the method from their parents.

Where to see it for real: Common on rocky shores and beaches of northern Europe.

Spot it in the game

Lives in the Sea cliffs habitat (North Atlantic coast, in summer).

Eurasian Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
Photo: Charlotte Kirchner, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist. Cut out from the original photo.

Eurasian Oystercatcher facts

Family
Oystercatchers
Length
17 in (43 cm)
Wingspan
33 in (83 cm)
Weight
19 oz (540 g)
Diet
Mussels, cockles and worms, opened or dug out with its strong orange bill.
Range
Coasts of Europe and northern Asia; winters south to Africa and the Middle East.
Nest
A scrape on shingle or grass, sometimes on a flat roof.
Song
Loud piping "kleep-kleep", often in noisy groups.
Active
by day and at night
Status
Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List: close to qualifying as threatened.

What the Eurasian Oystercatcher sounds like

Recording 1: Jochem verweij, CC BY-SA 4.0, original on xeno-canto. Trimmed and cleaned of low background noise.

More: bird songs and calls, birds at night.

More birds of the sea cliffs

Atlantic PuffinAtlantic PuffinSea cliffsRazorbillRazorbillSea cliffsCommon MurreCommon MurreSea cliffsBlack-legged KittiwakeBlack-legged KittiwakeSea cliffsNorthern GannetNorthern GannetSea cliffsNorthern FulmarNorthern FulmarSea cliffs

Spot the Eurasian Oystercatcher yourself

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