American Oystercatcher: Bird Finder for May 7

American Oystercatcher
Haematopus palliatus

What it looks like: American Oystercatchers are large shorebirds with a long, narrow, orange bill which beautifully contrasts against their black head, brown back and tail and bright white underparts. You can see their white wing patches when they are in flight.

Where to find it: You can find these birds where they feed and nest along the shores of Long Island Sound, including our Milford Point Coastal Center.

How to find it: From the Milford Point Coastal Center building, head straight to the beach and once your feet reach sand, simply stop and listen. When they first arrive in the spring, you are more likely to hear them before you see them. They are very vocal at this time of year, as they initiate their breeding efforts. Their calls are loud “peeps,” “wheeps,” and “whees.” You can hear their calls by clicking on the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library’s site.

What if it isn’t there: You won’t be disappointed, as there are many other shorebirds that use similar habitats, including Piping Plovers, Least Terns, Greater Yellowlegs, and Willets. Plus, you are at the beach and our rough winter is behind us – that’s reason enough to rejoice!

Conservation status: The IUCN lists American Oystercatcher populations as being of least concern, but it is important to note that shoreline bird habitat is impacted by human recreation, development and pollution throughout their range.

This week’s Connecticut Audubon Society Bird Finder was written by Michelle Eckman, director of education, and edited by Tom Andersen. Connecticut Audubon Society photo.