A large, bulky shorebird with black upperparts and white underparts and a long heavy reddish-orange bill. Adults are uniform black on the head, neck, back, and wings, eyes are red with a bright red orbital ring, and legs are reddish-pink. Underparts and shoulder are clean white. Basic Adults have an incomplete stripe on neck. Juveniles have a black-tipped bill and a browner back than adults. In flight, look for broad white wing stripe and white lower back and rump; white forms and inverted "V" up the lower back. White base of tail with black outer half. Very similar American Oystercatcher shows obvious contrast between the brown back and wings and the black head, and also has yellow eyes with a red orbital ring.

Length: 42 (cm) Wingspan: 83 (cm)

Habitat:

Found along sandy beaches, gravelly or rocky shorelines, or salt marshes. Also found in farmlands or pastures.

Behavior:

Forms large flocks. Feeds by slowly working shoreline or pasture, jabbing food and hammering it open.

Feeding:

Feeds on mollusks and earthworms.