BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Oystercatcher

HaematopodidaeShorebirdsHaematopus palliatus

American Oystercatcher has increased: up 26% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

+26%Since 1974TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
25RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
51Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the American Oystercatcher

The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) is a North American member of the Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the shorebirds.

Size
15.5–17.5 in long (40–45 cm) — a large, heavy-billed shorebird (typical for the family)
Habitat
Shorelines, mudflats, beaches, flooded fields and wet meadows.
Diet
Invertebrates probed or picked from mud, sand and shallow water.
Range
Recorded on 25 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 12 states, most concentrated in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.
Family
Haematopodidae · Shorebirds

Notable American Oystercatcher TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for American Oystercatcher. See the full index history below.

American Oystercatcher Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, American Oystercatcher is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.01). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±299.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.01Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.0195% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±299.1%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, American Oystercatcher is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.01). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±299.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20250.010.000.01
20260.010.000.01
20270.010.000.01
20280.010.000.01
20290.010.000.01

Where the American Oystercatcher Is Detected

BBS routes recording American Oystercatcher, sized by most recent count.

American Oystercatcher Population Trend by State

American Oystercatcher population trend by state.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alabamainsufficient datan/a2
Delawareinsufficient datan/a1
Florida-85%19976
Louisianainsufficient datan/a1
Massachusettsinsufficient datan/a2
New Jerseyinsufficient datan/a1
New Yorkinsufficient datan/a1
North Carolina-76%19744
Rhode Islandinsufficient datan/a1
South Carolinainsufficient datan/a1
Texas-65%20004
Virginiainsufficient datan/a1

American Oystercatcher Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

American Oystercatcher population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Southeastern Coastal Plain-66%197411
New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast-21%19837
Gulf Coastal Prairie-55%20005

American Oystercatcher Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 26% since 1974. Many shorebirds have declined steeply, reflecting pressure on the coastal and wetland stopovers they depend on.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.