American Oystercatcher

American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) is in the Oystercatchers family (Haematopodidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 14,414 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph American Oystercatcher: observations by month (U.S.)

About American Oystercatcher

The American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), occasionally called the American pied oystercatcher, is a member of family Haematopodidae. Originally called the "sea pie", it was renamed in 1731 when naturalist Mark Catesby observed the bird eating oysters. The current population of American oystercatchers is estimated to be 43,000. There are estimated to be 1,500 breeding pairs along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the US. The bird is marked by its black and white body and a...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

American Oystercatcher by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Oystercatchers)

Black OystercatcherHaematopus bachmani

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ