BIRDS OF ICELAND : Haematopus ostralegus, Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegus; Oystercatchers are easily recognizable birds with their black & white bodies, orange bills, rose legs and red eyes. They are also common waders who have spread their territories in Europe from the coast to inland regions by adapting to food sources offered by meadow lands. On Iceland too they can be found from coastal regions to more inland meadow areas. This is also where they breed. It is a very quarrelsome bird and quite aggressive towards one another during the breeding season. They also show the habit of simulating crippled wings in order to lure you away from their nests. Given suitable habitats they can be found all along the coastal regions of Iceland. A small part of the population stays during the winter period. The larger part migrates to western Europe (i.e. British isles).

A brief introduction to Iceland birds
Text & Photographs by Dick Vuijk
- unless stated otherwise
Other Wader and Stilt species

Other Wader and Stilt species

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Natural History of Iceland Site  in Dutch

Natural History of Iceland Site  Dutch