About the Blackish Oystercatcher
The blackish oystercatcher is a species of wading bird in the oystercatcher family Haematopodidae. It is found in Argentina, Chile, the Falkland Islands and Peru, and is a vagrant to Uruguay. The population is estimated at 15,000–80,000.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The blackish oystercatcher's plumage is slaty-black with wings and back rather dark brown. The long bill is blood-red and the legs are white. The sexes are similar in appearance. The bird is easily overlooked on a rocky shore, its dark colour blending with the rocks on which it walks as it forages, and it does not draw attention to itself. Its presence, however, can easily be detected by its loud and distinctive warning calls. Its song, when given in duet, consists of an excited chatter of piping whistles. Calls include notes that sound like "pip" and "peeeeyeeee".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States.
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Magellanic OystercatcherHaematopus leucopodusThe Magellanic oystercatcher has a length between 42 and 46 cm (17 and 18 in).
African OystercatcherHaematopus moquiniThe African oystercatcher is a large, noisy wader, with completely black plumage, red legs and a strong broad red bill.
South Island OystercatcherHaematopus finschiThe South Island oystercatcher is easily identifiable as a pied oystercatcher – a large wader with striking black and white plumage, long red-orange bill, and red legs.
Learn the Blackish Oystercatcher for real
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