The Oystercatcher, (Haematophus ostralagus) has a dazzling pied plummage, a vivid
orange-red bill and thick fleshy pink legs. Oystercatchers tend to "take over" and dominate eatuaries with their clamorous presence.
In some places, they have come into conflict with people for their supposed impact on commercial cockle fisheries. As cockles have declined
on some estuaries, Oystercatchers have increasing turned to farmland to feed.
Extract from RSPB Complete Birds of Britain by Rob Hume and The Collins Gem Guide. Birds.
