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

Illustration of oystercatcher

Examples of oystercatcher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Birds starting to recover The banding in the 787-acre Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge is part of a nationwide effort to restore oystercatcher populations along the coasts of the Americas. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

On a recent day, a flock of some 30 were perched in the distance — scattering when a pair of squawking oystercatchers alerted them to visitors. — ABC News, 30 May 2026

Keep an eye out for New Zealand dotterels and variable oystercatchers, which nest in the dunes. — Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026

Sea thrift and marram grass fringe the dunes—while oystercatchers tiptoe along the tideline. — Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oystercatcher

• catcher
• hatcher
• matcher
• stature
• dispatcher
• flycatcher

Kids Definition

oyster catcher

noun

: any of several wading birds with stout legs, a heavy wedge-shaped bill, and often black and white plumage