The Collaborative International Dictionary
Haematopus palliatus
oystercatcher \oystercatcher\, oyster catcher \oyster catcher\n. (Zo["o]l.), Any one of several species of wading birds of the genus H[ae]matopus having stout legs and bill and mostly black-and-white plumage, which frequent seashores and feed upon oysters and other shellfish. The European species ( H[ae]matopus ostralegus), the common American species ( H[ae]matopus palliatus), and the California, or black, oyster catcher ( H[ae]matopus Bachmani) are the best known.
Syn: oyster plover.