Notes on the foraging behaviour of Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus feeding on bread
Info
Pages
15 – 17
Published
11 April 14
Authors
Klaas van Dijk
Correspondence
Klaas van Dijk
klaas.vdijk@hetnet.nl
Ornithological Society Avifauna Groningen, c/o Vermeerstraat 48, 9718 SN Groningen, The Netherlands
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I report the first documented records of free-living Eurasian Oystercatchers feeding on bread. The observations were made in the city of Groningen and at other localities in The Netherlands. They include instances of adult oystercatchers picking up bread and feeding it to well-grown chicks. Most observations relate to urban habitats. Further studies are needed to evaluate the costs and benefits for oystercatchers of eating bread.