the american oystercatcher is found on the atlantic coast of north america from new england to northern florida, where it is also found on the gulf coast, and south to brazil, uruguay and argentina. it is found also in the pacific coast of california, mexico, central america, peru, and chile. in the 19th century they became locally extinct in the northeast of the united states due to market hunting and egg collecting. after receiving protection under the migratory bird treaty act, their range extended northward to re-occupy historical habitat in new england.