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Pied Oystercatcher

(Haematopus longirostris)
Alternative names: "White-breasted Oyster-catcher", "Black-and-white Oyster-catcher"
Size: 42-50 cm

Sightings

We first spotted a Pied Oystercatcher in Oman at Ras Al-Hadd, near the eastern tip of the Arabian peninsula, in May 2010. In the same month also seen on beaches about 100 km west of Muscat.

Additional information

Previously also spotted and photographed by us in Australia. To go to the Australian page, click here.

Photos

Lateral view of a juvenile Pied Oystercatcher

Here the same bird as above, now seen from behind

Distant lateral view of a juvenile Pied Oystercatcher in flight

Here a more frontal view, showing clearly the white neckband typical of juvenile birds

Landing on the beach...

Food

Pied Oystercatches feed on oysters and other shellfish that they pry loose with their powerful bills.

These pages are largely based on our own observations. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.