Marie Read / American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) adult feeding chick, Long Island, New York, USA. June.

David Perpinan / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) incubating eggs on nest, alarm calling as a predator flies overhead, Scotland,UK, June.

Ernie Janes / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) footprints on sand at low tide, Norfolk, England, UK, November.

Ernie Janes / Oyster Catcher (Haematopus ostralegus) in tulip (Tulipa) field, North Norfolk, May 2013

Mike Read / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) flock in flight. Snettisham RSPB Reserve, The Wash, Norfolk, England, UK. August.

David Woodfall / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) settling down on eggs in in Machair, Scotland, UK, June.

David Woodfall / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) settling down on eggs in machair, Scotland, UK, June.

David Woodfall / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) walking over Black Oats (Avena strigosa) growing in strips on cultivated Machair, Scotland, UK, June.

David Woodfall / Strips of ploughed Machair, farmed by crofters and vital habitat for breeding Little terns (Sterna albifrons ) and Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) and Dunlin (Calidris alpina). North Uist, Scotl...

Marie Read / American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), closeup of individual feeding by using its chisel-shaped bill to pry open shellfish, Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, March.

Nick Upton / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) passing small Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) it has caught on the grassy margins of lake to its developing chick, Gloucestershire, UK, June.

Nick Upton / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) chick watching and waiting to be fed by parent as it forages for invertebrate food on the grassy margins of lake, Gloucestershire, UK, June.

Nick Upton / Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) males piping to court a nearby female on pastureland, Gloucestershire, UK, February.

Philippe Clement / Common pied oystercatcher / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) with blunt bill tip typical for mussel hammerers, Shetland Islands, Scotland, UK, May

Philippe Clement / Common pied oystercatchers / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) pair on dry stone wall, Shetland Islands, Scotland, UK, May

David Tipling / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) feeding chick Unst, Shetland, Scotland, UK.June

David Tipling / Birders watching Knot (Calidris canutus) and Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) at high tide over the Wash at RSPB Snettisham Reserve Norfolk, England, UK. November

David Tipling / Waders, Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) and Red knot (Calidris canutus) out on the Wash, massing together as the tide pushes in prior to high tide and roosting, Snettisham Norfolk, England, UK....

David Tipling / Waders, Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) and Red knot (Calidris canutus) out on the Wash, massing together as the tide pushes in prior to high tide and roosting, Snettisham Norfolk, England, UK....

David Tipling / Waders, Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) and Red knot (Calidris canutus) out on the Wash, massing together as the tide pushes in prior to high tide and roosting, Snettisham Norfolk, England, UK....

David Tipling / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) parent feeding chicks in the rain with worms, Holme Norfolk, England, UK. June.

David Perpinan / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) arriving at its nest in a roundabout, Scottish Borders, Scotland, UK, June.

Claudio Contreras / American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), Bahia Magdalena, Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, June

Ernie Janes / Sooty oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus) Tasmania, Australia.

Ernie Janes / Sooty oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus) Coles Bay, Tasmania, Australia.

Ernie Janes / Pied oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) on beach, Coles Bay, Tasmania, Australia.

Ernie Janes / Pied oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) on beach, Coles Bay, Tasmania, Australia.

Ernie Janes / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) flying on to mussel bed as tide recedes Norfolk, England, UK. November.

Konrad Wothe / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) calling, Eastfriesian Islands National Park, North Sea, Germany, June.

Roger Powell / Pair of Eurasian Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) courting and walking away from each other on their breeding territory. Sandvik, Porsanger fjord, Finmark, Norway

Roger Powell / Pair of Eurasian Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) greeting each other on their breeding territory. Sandvik, Porsanger fjord, Finmark, Norway

Roger Powell / Pair of Eurasian oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) courting and walking in tandem with each other on their breeding territory. Sandvik, Porsanger fjord, Finmark, Norway

Roger Powell / Pair of Eurasian Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) calling and greeting each other on their breeding territory. Sandvik, Porsanger fjord, Finmark, Norway

Roger Powell / Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) guarding its breeding territory. Sandvik, Porsanger fjord, Finmark, Norway

Fabrice Cahez / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) Brittanny, France, October.

Nick Upton / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) pair mating and calling on the banks of a shallow freshwater lake, Gloucestershire, UK, February.

Lynn M. Stone / American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) foraging at waters edge, Indian Shores, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, USA

Lynn M. Stone / American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) feeding on Calico Clam, shortly after dawn, seashore, Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. April.

Andy Trowbridge / Variable oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) adult pied morph in flight about to land. Ashley river, Christchurch, New Zealand. August.

Loic Poidevin / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) flock taking off, Marais Breton, Vendée, France, January.

Claudio Contreras / Magellanic Oystercatcher (Haematopus leucopodus) in nest, Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands, October

Claudio Contreras / Magellanic Oystercatcher (Haematopus leucopodus) in nest, Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands, October

Philippe Clement / Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) and Sanderlings (Calidris alba) feeding and taking off from beach in winter, Belgium, December.

Philippe Clement / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) standing in shallow water before taking off, Belgium, May.

Nick Upton / Slow motion view of Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) flying in to join others resting and preening at a roost site, Cornwall, England, UK, April.

Nick Upton / Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) resting and preening at a roost site, with a Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) holding its wings out to dry next to them, Cornwall, England, UK, April.

Nick Upton / Slow motion clip of an Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) struggling to climb up a slope at a coastal roost site as a Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) approaches and flaps its wings, England, UK,...

Nick Upton / Pair of Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) displaying to a rival on their nesting territory until it flies away, Gloucestershire, England, UK, March.

Nick Upton / Pair of Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) mating on a small island, with a resting Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) in the background, Gloucestershire, England, UK, March.

Nick Upton / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) probing for invertebrates in a lake, Gloucestershire, England, UK, May.

Nick Upton / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) probing for invertebrates in a lake, Gloucestershire, England, UK, May.

Nick Upton / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) probing for invertebrates in a lake, Gloucestershire, England, UK, May.

Nick Upton / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) swallowing an Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) and foraging for more, Gloucestershire, England, UK, February.

Nick Upton / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) pulling up an Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris), Gloucestershire, England, UK, February.

Ingo Arndt / Red Knot (Calidris canutus) and Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), flock at high tide roost, Snettisham, RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, England, UK. November 2013.

Ingo Arndt / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) among flock of roosting Red Knots (Calidris canutus), Snettisham, RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, England, UK. November.

Ingo Arndt / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) among flock of roosting Red Knots (Calidris canutus), Snettisham, RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, England, UK. November.

Ingo Arndt / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) among flock of roosting Knot (Calidris canutus), Snettisham, RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, England, UK. November.

Sylvain Cordier / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) sitting on eggs, Netherlands.

Sylvain Cordier / Magellanic oystercatcher (Haematopus leucopodus) on the nest with eggs, Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands

Martin Gabriel / European Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) and gulls at the beach in front of As Sawadi Island with As Sawadi Fort, Sultanate of Oman, January.

Roger Powell / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) standing over eggs in a nesting tray. These nest platforms were originally put up (early - mid 20th century) to provide a supply of fresh eggs. Now they...

Roger Powell / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) incubating in a nesting tray. These nest platforms were originally put up (early - mid 20th century) to provide a supply of fresh eggs. Now they are part...

Robin Chittenden / Mixed flock of Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) and Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) flying, Norfolk, UK, November.

Doug Wechsler / American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) nest with eggs on beach, Delaware Bay, New Jersey, USA, June

Gerrit Vyn / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) chick. Finnmark, Norway. June.

Gerrit Vyn / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) chick. Finnmark, Norway. June.

Niall Benvie / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), Iceland, July.

Niall Benvie / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) in flight, Islay, Scotland

SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) in flight over sea at sunset, Fair Isle, Shetland , Scotland, UK, June.

SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) calling, silhouetted at sunrise, Fair Isle, Shetland , Scotland, UK, June.

SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) pair silhouetted at sunrise, Fair Isle, Shetland , Scotland, UK, June.

Markus Varesvuo / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) walking along shoreline, Uto Finland May

Ross Hoddinott / American oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), silhouetted at dawn, Santiago Island, Galapagos, Ecuador, May.

David Tipling / Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) going to roost against a spectacular sunset at high tide over the Wash at Snettisham, Norfolk, September

Ernie Janes / Variable oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) on beach Abel Tasman, New Zealand, February.

SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) flying, North Harris, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK, June.

Melvin Grey / American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) adult feeding on shoreline. Fort De Soto Pk, Florida, USA. April.

Bernard Castelein / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) by the coast, Island of Runde, Norway July

Bernard Castelein / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) by the coast, Island of Runde, Norway July

Bernard Castelein / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) by the coast, Island of Runde, Norway July

Mike Read / Magellanic oystercatcher (Haematopus leucopodus) preening amongst daisies. Bleaker Island, Falkland Islands. November.

Cyril Ruoso / Blackish oystercatchers (Haematopus ater) two on beach, Punta San Juan, Peru

Lynn M Stone / American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) hunting for marine invertebrates along shore, Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

Lynn M Stone / American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) probing in sand for invertebrates at low tide, Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

Lynn M Stone / American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) with what is probably a sand eel, Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

Suzi Eszterhas / Black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA, June.

Suzi Eszterhas / Black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) calling, Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA, June.

Suzi Eszterhas / Black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA, June.

Ann & Steve Toon / African (black) oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini), eating mussel, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa

Ann & Steve Toon / African (black) oystercatchers (Haematopus moquini) two resting on beach, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa

Ann & Steve Toon / African (black) oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini) hunting on coastline, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa

Ann & Steve Toon / African (black) oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini) standing on shoreline, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa

Niall Benvie / Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) in flight, Islay, Scotland, UK, June.

Andres M. Dominguez / Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) group on Valdelagrana Beach with city in the background, Puerto de Santa Marja, Cadiz, southern Spain, August.