oystercatcher \oystercatcher\, oyster catcher \oyster catcher\n.
(Zool.),
Any one of several species of wading birds of the genus
{Haematopus} having stout legs and bill and mostly
black-and-white plumage, which frequent seashores and feed
upon oysters and other shellfish. The European species
({Haematopus ostralegus}), the common American species
({Haematopus palliatus}), and the California, or black,
oyster catcher ({Haematopus Bachmani}) are the best known.
Syn: oyster plover.
[1913 Webster]