Skip to main content
Close

American Pied Oystercatcher

Haematopus palliatus

Photo by remco.douma
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-34.9199, -54.8671

Field Notes

Description:

Oystercatchers are closely tied to coastal habitats. They nest on beaches on coastal islands and feed on marine invertebrates. The large, heavy beak is used to pry open bivalve mollusks. This one was spotted near the rocks of La Gorgorita in Punta del Este, where Arroyo Maldonado enters the Atlantic.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)

Congrats! This spotting has been featured as a PN Fun Fact: https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/photos/a.10150595289465603.674700.10150120463815603/10154412829940603/?type=1&notif_t=scheduled_post_published Project Noah Fun Fact: Also called the American oystercatcher, the American Pied Oystercatcher can be found along coastal areas of North America from New England southward down to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. It also occurs on the Pacific coast of California, Mexico, Central America, Peru, and Chile. The genus name for this species refers to the red of the beak, Haeme = red, atopus = atypical, the species epithet palliata = cloaked. As the common name suggests, these birds feed upon oysters and other shellfish, including mussels and clams.They will also consume other marine invertebrates like limpets, sea urchins, starfish, crabs, and worms.
Photographed
PublishedJuly 26, 2014

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