American Oystercatcher

Haematopus palliatus Mar–Nov

With its long orange beak and black head, the American Oystercatcher is hard to miss as it walks along the shoreline poking about for food. Their diet is made up of saltwater bivalves such as mussels, clams, and oysters. It keeps an eye out for partially open shells and sticks its long beak inside, cutting the muscle that holds the shell closed. This allows it to feast on the soft insides and they are the only birds on the eastern coast with this particular skill. Other shorebirds, such as gulls and Willets, who are eager for a bite, tend to mingle in the same area. Due to living in a very specific type of habitat, the American Oystercatcher can only be found along the coast, often on sandy or pebbled and shell-strewn beaches. The ones we see in Rhode Island migrate south once the summer breeding season ends. Colt State Park in Bristol is a great spot to catch a glimpse of these birds, but make sure to go when the tide is low since this is when they are most active in search of food.

The lack of adaptability and preference for living in a very specific environment means this bird is highly vulnerable. Human activities can result in the degradation and destruction of coastal areas, along with global warming resulting in rising water levels, which contribute to the drowning of eggs and nestlings. Natural predators such as gulls and raccoons also pose a risk to the young.