🌿Native Nature

American Oystercatcher

Haematopus palliatus

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia ›Phylum: Chordata ›Class: Aves ›Order: Charadriiformes ›Family: Haematopodidae ›Genus: Haematopus

About

The American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), occasionally called the American pied oystercatcher, is a member of family Haematopodidae. Originally called the "sea pie", it was renamed in 1731 when naturalist Mark Catesby observed the bird eating oysters. The current population of American oystercatchers is estimated to be 43,000. There are estimated to be 1,500 breeding pairs along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the US. The bird is marked by its black and white body and a...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of American Oystercatcher?
The scientific name of American Oystercatcher is Haematopus palliatus.
What is the conservation status of American Oystercatcher?
The American Oystercatcher has a conservation status of Least Concern.
What kingdom does American Oystercatcher belong to?
American Oystercatcher belongs to the kingdom Animalia.
What phylum does American Oystercatcher belong to?
American Oystercatcher belongs to the phylum Chordata.
What class does American Oystercatcher belong to?
American Oystercatcher belongs to the class Aves.
What order does American Oystercatcher belong to?
American Oystercatcher belongs to the order Charadriiformes.
What family does American Oystercatcher belong to?
American Oystercatcher belongs to the family Haematopodidae.
What genus does American Oystercatcher belong to?
American Oystercatcher belongs to the genus Haematopus.

In the News

Lost and Found: Tracking an American Oystercatcher with GPS/GSM Technology

The tiny backpack you see on this American Oystercatcher “N94” is a solar-powered GPS/GSM transmitter. Thanks to this technology, applied by a trained biologist, we were able to find N94 after...

Audubon · 10/6/2026

Oystercatchers, known for sharp bills and beady eyes, are making a comeback thanks to conservation

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) — A shorebird known for its sharp, orange bill and beady eyes is making a comeback in North America thanks to a yearslong conservation effort. The American Oystercatcher was nearly wiped out on the East Coast at the turn of the 20th century due to hunting and egg collecting. But the […]

Mongabay · 7/20/2026