The Oystercatcher's name belies the truth in its diet. Black Oystercatchers do not mainly eat oysters. One may wonder how then did the bird receive its name. Much like P. Diddy, or Puff Daddy, or whatever the artist is referring to himself these days, the shorebird has been called more than one thing. The first recorded European name used was 'Pie Sea,' which personally reminds us more of the astrological sign than a lipid eater.

Sea-pie comes from 18th century sailor slang for a pastry dish. If you're interested in tasting a piece of history, visit the website British Foods in America and try their recipe.

English naturalist Mark Catesby renamed the bird an Oyster catcher in 1731 when he observed the bird eating oysters. Naturalist William Yarrell made Catesby's name the official term in his published guide on birds in 1843.