Blackish Oystercatcher Haematopus ater Scientific name definitions

The Blackish Oystercatcher is a relatively large and bulky-bodied shorebird of rocky southern South American coasts, on the Pacific side from Peru to Tierra del Fuego, and on the Atlantic north probably to Uruguay, as well as on the Falkland Islands. It is usually found feeding on molluscs around the waterline on wave-washed shores, and frequently gives high-pitched, piping calls. This oystercatcher is dark brown to black with pale pinkish legs, a stout, red bill, and reddish skin around the eyes. Immatures have dull pinkish bills and are browner overall. Its morphological similarity to Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) of western North America has occasionally led to the two species being considered conspecific.