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Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegus

Oystercatcher, photo Eero Haapanen
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Oystercatcher is a coastal bird with a contrasting plumage. Their head, neck, and the upper part of the body are black; the rest of the body is white. Their beak is relatively long and vermilion; the feet are reddish-brown. While not breeding, its throat is whitish; otherwise, there is no big difference between the breeding plumage and regular plumage. They can be found almost everywhere, but they mostly live on the sea coast. Oystercatchers live near water, on pebbles or sandy beaches, or a coast with flat grass stamped by the livestock. In any case, their habitat is connected with water. They have a fairly large nesting area for their size. There is also a game of oystercatchers in the nesting place. It starts on the ground: the male bird shakes his head to two sides and sings at a high tone. Then, they jump into the air and fly, with a partner or alone, towards the nesting place. Oystercatchers feed on invertebrates, who they pick up with their long beak on the beach or from low waters. They are very cautious of humans, which is why it is rather difficult to closely observe them.