Haematopus ostralegus - Common Oystercatcher
Feather characters. Barbules are from short until medium length (0.7-1.5 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and partly pigmented (less than 50%) internodes. In some cases some pigment may be found concentrated in internodes. Slightly thickened nodes (16-22 per mm) are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules, only slightly decreasing in size towards distal end. These nodes may be very small. Villi are absent and internodes are straight. Minute prongs may be present along the entire length of barbules, on both sides of the pennulum. These prongs are unequally distributed, and many nodal structures without prongs may be found.
Field characters. Size 43 cm. Weight 526 g (430-675) (Dunning, 1993). A large, black-and-white wader with boldly pied plumage, long orange-red bill and pink legs. Head, breast, back, and wings glossy black, with a broad white wing-band. Underparts and rump white, tail white with a broad terminal black band. In winter plumage, throat with white half collar.
Voice. Usual note a loud, shrill 'tepeet tepeet'. Also a short and sharp "pic-pic" or "kic-kic". Piping "song" is a development of the usual note into a trill.
Distribution. Very common resident and summer visitor along coasts. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Generally a bird of sea shores, occupying a wide spectrum of coastal habitats, but it frequents also meadows and arable fields further inland.
Food. Feeds by probing soil for bivalve molluscs (especially cockles, mussels, and baltic tellin). Shells are opened by hammering until broken, or by stabbing bill between gaping valves, thus severing adductor muscles. May also take crabs, bristle worms, insects, eggs and young birds.