Blackish Oystercatcher

Overview

The blackish oystercatcher (Haematopus ater) is a species of wading bird in the oystercatcher family Haematopodidae. It is native to the coasts of South America and the Falkland Islands, with a population estimated between 15,000 and 80,000 individuals.

Identification

• Plumage is slaty-black with wings and back rather dark brown.
• Long bill is blood-red and legs are white.
• Sexes are similar in appearance.
• Song consists of an excited chatter of piping whistles, with calls sounding like "pip" and "peeeeyeeee".

Habitat

Found in the coasts of Argentina, Chile, the Falkland Islands, and Peru, with vagrants recorded in Uruguay. Natural habitats are rocky shores, and the bird is rarely found on sandy beaches.

Diet

Feeds in the intertidal zone on rocky shorelines, in rockpools, and on pebble beaches. Rarely, it hunts for mole crabs on sandy beaches.

Did you know?

Its dark colour makes it easily overlooked on rocky shores as it blends with the rocks, but its presence can be easily detected by its loud and distinctive warning calls.