American Oystercatcher

Haematopus palliatus ORDER: CHARADRIIFORMES FAMILY: HAEMATOPODIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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© William L. Newton / CLO

A large, boldly patterned bird, the American Oystercatcher is conspicuous along ocean shores and salt marshes. True to its name, it is specialized in feeding on bivalves (oysters, clams, and mussels) and uses its brightly colored bill to get at them.