Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus Ostralegus) is widespread all over the Palearctic area and it nests in coastal estuaries of Europe and Northern Asia. Flocks which live in England are non-migratory whereas the most part of this breed winters in Africa, Middle East and Southern Asia. That breed prefers coastal areas such as little sandy seaside, muddy estuaries areas or brackish waters. Although common name of Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus Ostralegus) is “Oyster Catcher”, that breed doesn’t eat oysters. It prefers mussels and shelves. The shape of beak varies in relation to favorite diet: long beak subjects are specialized opening shelves, whereas those with stocky beak hammer harder mussels shelves. Breeding happens between April and July and both parents build nest also with shelves, stones and pebbles. Female of Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus Ostralegus) decides the place which is suitable to sets eggs down, generally is inside a little hole which is near to water. Eggs are brownish, dark spotted and they are incubate by female. It is common to find their nests not far from those of seagulls. If during incubation period is disturbed, Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus Ostralegus) quickly goes away from its nest and discourages possible predators taking place far from the real nest. Babies born with variable down which can be soft brown or tawny and also white and dark brown spotted. They go away from their nest two days after the birth but both parents look after them. Adult plumage Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus Ostralegus) is unmistakable: it has a white and black color, beak is elongated and orange, tail is black and paws are pink. Lower part of the young Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus Ostralegus) is beige, their paws are yellow and beak is completely black at the point.