Haematopus ostralegus

oystercatcher oystercatcher, oyster catcher oyster catcher . (Zo["o]l.), Any one of several species of wading birds of the genus {H[ae]matopus} having stout legs and bill and mostly black-and-white plumage, which frequent seashores and feed upon oysters and other shellfish. The European species ({H[ae]matopus ostralegus}), the common American species ({H[ae]matopus palliatus}), and the California, or black, oyster catcher ({H[ae]matopus Bachmani}) are the best known.

Syn: oyster plover. [1913 Webster]