Oyster Catcher

Oyster-Catcher, any bird of the genus Hscmatopus, of the family Charadriidas (Plovers), with nine species, universally distributed. The Common Oyster-catcher of Europe (H. ostralegus) ranges as far north as Greenland and south to central Africa] The adult male is about sixteen inches long; its black-and-white plumage (whence it is called Sea-Pie) contrasts well with the orange feet and red bill. In Britain the favourite habitat is the east coast. The name Oyster-catcher conveys a wrong impression, for the chief food of these birds consists of mussels, crustaceans, worms, and small fish. They usually breed on the shore, but their nests have been taken some distance inland.