Illustration of oystercatcher
oystercatcher
noun
oys·ter·catch·er
ˈȯi-stər-ˌka-chər 
-ˌke-
: any of a family (Haematopodidae containing a single genus Haematopus) of wading birds that have stout legs, a heavy wedge-shaped bill, and often black-and-white plumage
Examples of oystercatcher in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sea thrift and marram grass fringe the dunes—while oystercatchers tiptoe along the tideline.
—
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
The most vulnerable shorebirds on Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts, including in Volusia and Brevard, are the American oystercatchers, Black Skimmers, Least Terns, and Wilson’s and Snowy Plovers.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 July 2025
The initial national survey revealed oystercatchers were threatened by habitat loss, Schulte said.
—Molly Duerig, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025
But once there, trails connect the bayside to the ocean, and hiking them is a good way to spot one of the island’s rarer bird species, like the American oystercatcher or the Least terns.
—Ryan Krogh, Outside Online, 3 June 2025
While monarch butterflies this past winter doubled in Mexico over the previous year, the oystercatcher, a shorebird, has been recovering over a 15-year period because of focused efforts.
—Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 6 May 2025
Most of the attacks have been carried out by American oystercatchers.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
The most vulnerable shorebirds on Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts, including in Volusia and Brevard, are the American oystercatchers, Black Skimmers, Least Terns, and Wilson’s and Snowy Plovers.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 July 2025
The initial national survey revealed oystercatchers were threatened by habitat loss, Schulte said.
—Molly Duerig, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025
But once there, trails connect the bayside to the ocean, and hiking them is a good way to spot one of the island’s rarer bird species, like the American oystercatcher or the Least terns.
—Ryan Krogh, Outside Online, 3 June 2025
While monarch butterflies this past winter doubled in Mexico over the previous year, the oystercatcher, a shorebird, has been recovering over a 15-year period because of focused efforts.
—Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 6 May 2025
Most of the attacks have been carried out by American oystercatchers.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Oystercatcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oystercatcher. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share