The Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) is a species of wader in the family Haematopodidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. The Maori name is torea-pango. They are also known as 'red bills'.
"Variable" refers to the frontal plumage, which ranges from pied through mottled to all black. They are polymorphic meaning they have different genetic variants. Blacker birds are more common in the south. All Stewart Island variable oystercatchers are black.
They have pink legs, an orange eye ring and red beaks. They are often seen in pairs on the coast all around New Zealand. During breeding, the pair will defend their territory, sometimes aggressively. Once mated pairs rarely divorce. After breeding they may be seen within flocks, or on the edges of flocks, of black and white South Island Pied Oystercatcher (SIPO) which also have vivid orange beaks.
Range map from www.oiseaux.net - Ornithological Portal Oiseaux.net
www.oiseaux.net
is one of those MUST visit pages if you're in to bird watching. You can find just about everything there
Listen to the Variable Oystercatcher
Sound from www.xeno-canto.org
After breeding they may even form small flocks of their own. Males are around 678 grams and females slightly larger at around 724 grams. Variables can be identified as they are slightly larger than the SIPO - SIPO are around 550 grams.
Occasionally totally black but if they are pied (black and white) they can be easily confused with SIPO. The variable species has less definition between the black and the white area, as well as a mottled band on the leading edges of the underwing.
Variables also have a smaller white rump patch which is only a band across the base of the tail rather than a wide wedge shape reaching up to the middle of the back as in the SIPO. When mottled they are sometimes called 'smudgies'.
They feed on molluscs, crabs and marine worms. After heavy rain, they sometime go inland in search of earthworms. They can open a shellfish by either hammering a hole in it or getting the bill between the two shells (of a bivalve) and twisting them apart. They breed in North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and Chatham Islands. They do not breed inland or beside rivers although the SIPO does.
They nest on the shore between rocks or on sand dunes by making a scrape out of the sand or shingle, sometimes lined with some seaweed. When in flight they make a high pitched 'kleep kleep' sound. They usually lay 2-3 eggs but they can lay up to 5.
The eggs are typically stone coloured with small brown patches all over. Eggs hatch in 25–32 days. Chicks are well camouflaged by their colour and can fly in about 6 weeks. The bird lives up to about 27 years.
Conservation status
Least Concern
(IUCN 3.1)
IUCN Red List
of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013. s
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sighted: 25 October 2017 (Date of first photo that I could use)
Location: Tiritiri Matangi Island
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Kaiaua - 26 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Kaiaua - 26 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Kaiaua - 26 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Kaiaua - 26 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Kaiaua - 26 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Kaiaua - 26 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Kaiaua - 26 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Kaiaua - 26 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Kaiaua - 26 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge - 30 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge - 30 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge - 30 October 2017
we can see that one of the bird is missing the foot
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge - 30 October 2017
we can see that one of the bird is missing the foot
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge - 30 October 2017
we can see that one of the bird is missing the foot
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge - 30 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge - 30 October 2017
Variable Oystercatcher - Haematopus - Waipu River Mouth Wildlife Refuge - 30 October 2017
Going bird watching on New Zealand? I have been to a few places but so far New Zealand is outstanding regarding information on the internet. There are two organizations that are sticking
out so far when it comes to information about birds and wildlife/ outdoor living.Bird information, bird song and maps. Yes, there are excellent trekking maps online so you can plan, or go back after the trek to see where you have been, excellent. I have not been disappointed.
• New Zealand Birds Online nzbirdsonline.org.nz
• New Zealand's Department of Conservation www.doc.govt.nz Click on “Nature” or just hoover with the mouse over the “Nature”
Many other places I have been to have excellent maps on site, but trying to find them online
rendering nothing but disappointments. The New Zealand's Department of Conservation is the ONE STOP ONLY for everything regarding outdoor activities on New Zealand.New Zealand Birds Online, there is everything you ever wish to know about the birds on New Zealand. Nothing less than fantastic. Click HERE to down load Checklist of the birds of NZ from New Zealand Birds Online web page nzbirdsonline.org.nz
One of the best web pages I have ever seen when it comes to birding. All the information you can ever ask for and a ONE STOP for all your needs before going bird watching on New Zealand. Range maps, sounds, information and bird lists, everything you need.
PLEASE! If I have made any mistakes identifying any bird, PLEASE let me know on my guestbook
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