Haematopus ostralegus - Haematopus longirostris

Oystercatcher - Flock in hundreds on seashores, mudflats and salt marshes in winter. Very noisy birds, especially in flight if alarmed. A lovely looking bird with bright red eyes and a deep red beak which it uses to dig out molluscs, mussels and earthworms. The nest is a simple scrape in the pebbles where it lays 2 to 4 eggs. These images taken in Derby and Co. Sligo. The last image here is of the Australian Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris). Photographed at Elliots Head Queensland Australia

▼ Video Clip

▼ Oystercatchers at Cloonagh Beach Co. Sligo