The oystercatchers are a group of waders forming the family Haematopodidae, which has a single genus, Haematopus. They are found on coasts worldwide. The Eurasian Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) are not known to eat oysters and in fact favour mussels. Also commonly referred to as Common Pied Oystercatchers, or in Europe simply known as Oystercatchers - they are black and white with long bright red bills. The bill is used to break into shellfish, and each individual inherits a particular technique from its parents. Unlike most other species of Oystercatcher, Eurasian Oystercatchers will breed far inland; other species are more likely to be found exclusively by water.
See also: Black Oystercatcher and Eurasian/common pied oystercatcher.
