Male and females of these plump glossy black birds look the same. Females are bigger than males and have a longer more pointed bill. Adults have short, sturdy fleshy pink legs and feet and robust, laterally flattened orange-red bill. The eyes of this oystercatcher are red with an orange fleshy eye ring present. Juveniles of this species have a brown bill with a dull orange base with a narrow eye ring. The Legs and feet of juveniles are grey. The eyes are reddish-brown. These birds are unlikely to be confused with any other species.

This iconic species breeds between Namibia and Port Edward. Small numbers of non-breeding birds visit KwaZulu-Natal and southern Angola. High concentrations of this species occurs on west coast offshore Islands between Luderitz (Namibia) and the Western Cape. Malgas Island (Western Cape) has had to 112 birds per km. Densities of birds are much lower on the mainland due to predation and disturbance.

These birds prefer rocky shores scattered with sandy beaches. They are less common in estuaries and lagoons. African Oystercatchers are usually seen in pairs or small groups. A good place to look for these birds is on main beach where more than 20 can be counted but can also be seen along the rocky shore feeding at low tide.

The breeding season is from September to April but most birds breed between November and February. The nest is a simple scrape in the sand dug by both male and female close to the high water mark (within 10-30 meters). They will also make nests on hard substrates like rocks but use shell fragments and rock chips to for a lip of the nest. One to two eggs are laid. The incubation period is 27-39 days after which a downy chick will hatch. They remain in the nest for around 24 hours. Chicks are very good swimmers. After 35-40 days the chicks fledge (learn to fly) and become fully independent of their parents after another 2- 6 months. The survival rate during the bird’s first year is 20%.

The African Oystercatcher bill is especially adapted for forcing open limpets and mussels. They feed in the intertidal area (between high and low tide). They will also feed on other bivalves, bristle worms, whelks and crustaceans. On sandy shores they will feed on sand mussels and storm washed redbait. In estuaries they have been known to feed on pencil bait. The invasive, alien Mediterranean mussel has increased food supply and breeding success in South Africa.

They can live to at least 29 years old. Numbers were as low as 4800 in early 1980s (of which 75% occurred in South Africa). Now around 6500 birds throughout its range, listed as least concern. Population is increasing African Oystercatchers are considered keystone species and are excellent indicators of coastal health as they are very sensitive to human development and disturbance. They are vulnerable during their breeding season which is the same time as the summer holidays and when beaches are at their busiest. This means many eggs and chicks can be lost.