Meet the Animals

The oystercatcher chics Oscar and Emmy were some of the stars of the show last year. So good news... this year there's another oystercatcher family.

Missed something? There is a little reminder from 2008 here.

Species information

Its bold black and white colours, bright red-orange bill and pink-red legs give this large wading bird an unmistakeable appearance. If you see one in flight look for a white stripe along the wings and listen for a high pitched 'beeping' sound. Large flocks of oystercatchers can make quite a racket.

As their name suggests, the oystercatcher is partial to oysters but it will more usually feed on cockles, mussels and even worms. Individuals either have short and blunt bills or longer pointed beaks depending whether they feed by prising or hammering open molluscs.

Oystercatchers breed near the coast, nesting in a scrape in the sand or shingle, although recently they have been encroaching inland to breed. They're also found in major estuaries and on river banks and mud flats. Oystercatchers from Iceland and Norway also overwinter in the UK.

How to help

Oystercatchers can be enjoyed safely from many coastal areas and reserves. Join your local RSPB group to find out more about and help with the conservation of the species. You can also help the BTO record bird migration and distribution throughout the UK with BirdTrack.

A reminder from 2008

Here's a clip of Oscar and Emmy from last year. They're really getting under their mum's feet.