Blackish oystercatcher

The blackish oystercatcher (Haematopus ater) is a species of wading bird in the oystercatcher family Haematopodidae. It is found in Argentina, Chile, the Falkland Islands and Peru, and is a vagrant to Uruguay. The population is estimated at 15,000–80,000.[2]

Blackish oystercatcher
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Haematopodidae
Genus: Haematopus
Species:
H. ater
Binomial name
Haematopus ater
Vieillot, 1825
  Year-round
  Breeding

Description

The blackish oystercatcher's plumage is slaty-black with wings and back rather dark brown. The long bill is blood-red and the legs are white. The sexes are similar in appearance. The bird is easily overlooked on a rocky shore, its dark colour blending with the rocks on which it walks as it forages, and it does not draw attention to itself. Its presence, however, can easily be detected by its loud and distinctive warning calls. Its song, when given in duet, consists of an excited chatter of piping whistles. Calls include notes that sound like "pip" and "peeeeyeeee".

Distribution and habitat

The blackish oystercatcher is native to the coasts of Argentina, Chile, the Falkland Islands and Peru, and it is a vagrant to Uruguay.[1] Its natural habitats are rocky shores. It feeds in the intertidal zone on rocky shorelines, in rockpools and on pebble beaches. Rarely, it can be found on sandy beaches hunting for mole crabs.[3]

Status

The IUCN rates the blackish oystercatcher as being of "Least Concern". It is not clear whether the population is increasing or decreasing, but the bird has a very large range and a total population estimated to be somewhere between 15,000 and 80,000 individuals.[1]

  • A pair feeding on some shellfish
    A pair feeding on some shellfish
  • On a rock
    On a rock
  • Haematopus ater - MHNT
    Haematopus ater - MHNT

See also

References

Media related to Haematopus ater at Wikimedia Commons

  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Haematopus ater". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T62015238A95185212. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T62015238A95185212.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. "New Species Protection Code of Conduct guides EU businesses towards nature protection". 28 October 2021.
  3. "Blackish Oystercatcher – Haematopus ater | mundoazul". Archived from the original on 2011-02-24. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
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