SOUTH ISLAND PIED OYSTERCATCHER

Photographed at Stockyard Point, Victoria, June 2017

(*  1199)                    SOUTH ISLAND PIED OYSTERCATCHER             Haematopus finschi 

AUSTRALIA                 710

Often referred to as SIPO. A vagrant from NZ occasionally recorded on e coast of Aust; seven records on east coast. 

SOUTH ISLAND PIED OYSTERCATCHER

Photographed at Miranda, June 2017

1199                SOUTH ISLAND PIED OYSTERCATCHER              Haematopus finschi  

NEW ZEALAND                47

Endemic to New Zealand, most of South Island and around the coast of North Island. 46 cm. Breeds inland on riverbeds and farmland, mainly on South Island; most of the c. 80,000 birds migrate and spend Jan-Jul on estuaries of North Island or north of South Island.

VARIABLE OYSTERCATCHER

Photographed at Shakespeare Regional Park, June 2017

1185                VARIABLE OYSTERCATCHER             Haematopus unicolor 

NEW ZEALAND                15

An uncommon endemic found around the coast of both Islands. 48 cm. Breeds on rocky and sandy coasts, occasionally on shores of coastal lakes; some birds gather in estuaries in autumn and winter.

SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER

153     SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER          Haematopus fuliginosus

Australia    (153)

Also known as Black Oystercatcher, Redbill, Black Redbill. Range all around coast of Australia including Tasmania, where suitable habitat. Found on intertidal and rocky and coral reefs, visits mudflats. Less common than pied oystercatcher. 40-52 cm. Photos taken at Shellharbour, June 2014.

PIED OYSTERCATCHER

137            PIED OYSTERCATCHER           Haematopus longirostris

Australia      (137)

Also known as Eugerie-bird, Redbill, Seapie or Wongbird. Ranges across all suitable habitats around the coast of Australia and Tasmania. Found on undisturbed sandy, shell grit or pebbled beaches, sandbars, tidal mudflats, and parks or paddocks near the coast. 42-51 cm.