The Family Haematopodidae includes oystercatchers, medium-sized wading birds found along coastlines worldwide. They are easily recognized by their long, strong, bright orange or red bills, which they use to pry open mollusks and other shellfish. Haematopodids have sturdy legs for walking along rocky shores and sandy beaches, and their plumage is typically black, white, or a combination of both. These birds are mostly coastal foragers, feeding on bivalves, worms, and crustaceans, and they often nest in simple scrapes on the ground. Ecologically, oystercatchers play an important role in controlling shellfish populations and maintaining the balance of coastal ecosystems.