Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae)

American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) - HBW 3, p. 322

French: Huîtrier d'Amérique German: Braunmantel-Austernfischer Spanish: Ostrero Pío Americano
Other common names: American Pied Oystercatcher

Taxonomy: Haematopus palliatus Temminck, 1820, Venezuela.
Sometimes considered conspecific with H. ostralegus. Name H. frazari may be invalid, referring to a hybrid swarm formed between present species and H. bachmani in Gulf of California and W Mexico; the hybridization in this overlap zone is limited, and some authorities retain frazari as race of present species. Present species also known to hybridize with H. ater in S South America. Some differences in adult morphology and plumage between nominate palliatus and race galapagensis, coupled with extreme isolation of latter and differences in chick coloration suggest that galapagensis may warrant separate species status (see page 309). Several proposed races probably insufficiently distinct to warrant recognition: pitanay of W South America, from Ecuador to SC Chile; durnfordi of E South America, from S Brazil to SC Argentina; and prattii of Bahamas. Two subspecies currently recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

palliatus Temminck, 1820 - coasts of North and South America, from Gulf of California to C Chile, and from Massachusetts to SC Argentina, including West Indies.
galapagensis Ridgway, 1886 - Galapagos Is.