Pied Oystercatchers
Oystercatchers
The Pied Oystercatcher, Haematopus longirostris, is a species of oystercatcher. It is a wading bird native to Australia and commonly found on its coastline. The Pied Oystercatcher can also be found in New Zealand.
Description
The name "oystercatcher" is something of a misnomer because these birds rarely eat oysters, which are found mainly on rocky coastlines. Pied Oystercatchers frequent sandy coastines, where they feed mainly on bivalve molluscs, which are prised apart with their specially adapted bill.
This Australian variety is easily recognized by the characteristic 5–8 cm long orange-red beak, slender pink legs and black and white plumage. With the wings extended, a white wing-stripe is also visible.
The male and female show little differentiation, except that the males generally sport a shorter, wider beak.
Diet / Feeding
Pied Oystercatchers feed mainly on bivalve molluscs, but also take other invertebrates. The techniques they use to break open the shells of the molluscs vary greatly and are thought to be learned behavior.
Nesting / Breeding
They nest in shallow scrapes made in open areas near the shore and produce 2-3 eggs in a typical clutch.
Each couple protects its nesting area and often uses the same area year after year.
Like the gulls they share the shore with, Oystercatchers will band together to mob a perceived threat.
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