• Using its sharp and strong beak, the Eurasian oystercatcher cracks open mollusk shells and eats their flesh.

The Eurasian oystercatcher has black plumage on its head, neck, back, and wings, with white feathers on its breast and belly, and a broad white stripe on the wings. The species’ legs are long and strong, colored pink, allowing it to walk on wet sand and shallow water; its beak is short as a chick, but long, strong, and bright red in adults, used to open or break mollusk shells. Bright red eyes help the adult oystercatcher see well in bright light on the seashore. Downy feathers protect young oystercatchers from the cold.