SAFRING results

Oystercatchers (Family Haematopodidae)

A ringing history of Oystercatchers in southern Africa, 1948-2002

There are seven species in the Oystercatcher family with 2 species in southern Africa.

Ringing totals and capture methods

The Oystercatchers are coastal birds, so very few have been ringed. Mainly chicks have been ringed; adults may be caught at night with torches and handnets or with nest traps.

Few Oystercatchers have been recovered or resighted/recaptured, although recent colour ringing of African Black Oystercatcher is resulting in an increase in resighting records.

Individual species ringing histories

• 231 African Black Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini
• 894 European Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

894 European Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Underhill, LG, Tree, AG, Oschadleus, HD & Parker, V. 1999. Review of Ring Recoveries of Waterbirds in Southern Africa. Cape Town: Avian Demography Unit.