Skip to main content
Close

Eurasian Oystercatcher - Tjaldur

Haematopus ostralegus

Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

64.2504, -15.2117

Field Notes

Description:

The Eurasian Oystercatcher is the most widespread of the oystercatchers, with three races breeding in western Europe, central Eurasia, Kamchatka, China, and the western coast of Korea. No other oystercatcher occurs within this area.The bill shape for this bird can vary: oystercatchers with broad bill tips open mollusc; pointed-bill birds dig up worms.

Habitat:

Coastal moorland.

Notes:

From Wikipedia: "Because of its large numbers and readily identified behaviour, the Oystercatcher is an important indicator species for the health of the ecosystems where it congregates. Extensive long-term studies have been carried out on its foraging behaviour, in northern Germany, in the Netherlands and particularly on the River Exe estuary in south-west England. These studies form an important part of the foundation for the modern discipline of behavioural ecology".

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)

Thanks Marta. These were omnipresent in Iceland, sometimes quite far from the coast.

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon