American Oystercatcher

Haematopus palliatus

Also known as:American Pied Oystercatcher

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Identification

47 cm (19") Uncommon. Coastal beaches, tidal flats.

Black head. Large red straight bill. Brownish back, white underneath. Legs pinkish.

In flight: shows prominent white wing bar.

Song: noisy "kleep".

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1 video

American Oystercatcher

Credit: Connecticut Audubon Society

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 1 rule

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

1 rule

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 2

In FLIGHT did the bird display a LIGHT WING STRIPE or PATCH ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Olive (yellowish-green) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Conical and slender · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Long · Very long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?: NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Sandpiper-like · Long-legged wader
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Northeastern Canada or United States · Southeastern United States · Southwestern United States

result:591-american-oystercatcher:1:1 Source: 591 American Oystercatcher, row 1