SHOREBIRDS of South America

Most Shorebirds walk along shores probing for food with their thin sensitive bills. Bill length varies considerably so differing species can work the same shore and obtain different food supplies. Shorebirds include sandpipers, godwits, stilts, oystercatchers, plovers, and many more. Shorebirds belong to the Charadriiformes order which also includes the Gulls and Allies.
    Note: the term Shorebirds is used in the Americas; elsewhere "waders" is used. We will reserve "waders" for herons and allies.



Oystercatchers

Order Charadriiformes    Suborder Charadrii    Family Haematopodidae - 1 genus

Oystercatchers have long and thick orange or red bills that they used for smashing or openning mollusks. Inland species eat worms and larvae.

Genus Haematopus

Oystercatcher, Blackish  Haematopus ater  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Alastair Rae   2) Charlie Westerinen - Ushuaia, Argentina


Oystercatcher, Magellanic  Haematopus leucopodus  Found: South America (Argentina, Chile, Falkland Islands)
Photographed by: 1) D Faulder - the Falkland Islands  2) Charlie Westerinen - Begal Channel of south Argentina





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