Oystercatcher- NSW- 7-08-2012 (1 Viewer)

Oystercatcher- NSW- 7-07-2012

Hello All,

This bird was photographed on said date. When I observed I thought there was something 'odd' about it, particularly the very (?) white underwing when compared to the surrounding Pied Oystercatchers (it was displaying with them).

However, the overall shape didn't fit SIPO (I have no experience with this species) and after checking pictures I put it down as a slightly whiter than usual Pied. However, having seen more pictures the doubts have crept back.

The first image is of the bird in flight, unfortunately I do not have any images of the upperwing, the second is of a pied and two sooty Os it was associating with and the third is of the bird on the ground. The fifth is another Pied O. (Certainly a different bird due to the shorter beak. I do realize that the species can show more or less white depending on how fluff upped it is. Like so)

Opinions are welcome.

D.

Edit: The bird was seen in July (aka the 7-07-2012), not in August! Apologies for this.

Seems you got a visitor from New Zealand.
In "Shorebirds -an identification guide" by Hayman et al. This bird is descriped as subspecies finschi:

cit: Underwing is similar to longirostris (nominate form), but slightly more white shows on bases of flight feathers

Click to expand...

Go back Dimitri and take a photo of the upper side of the bird( At least from the big white rump!) so that we can be sure ;-)

stonechat1 said:

Seems you got a visitor from New Zealand.
In "Shorebirds -an identification guide" by Hayman et al. This bird is descriped as subspecies finschi:

Go back Dimitri and take a photo of the upper side of the bird( At least from the big white rump!) so that we can be sure ;-)

Click to expand...

Thanks! I am getting myself quite worked up for not getting more images .

It's impossible to get new ones unfortunately as I've moved back to the other side of the continent now and the photos are a few moths old... It wouldn't surprise if the bird was still present though as in the past flagged Pied Oystercatchers have lingered for 8-10 months.

Edit: Also on the image of the bird in flight I can just make out an extensive wing bar...

stonechat1 said:

Seems you got a visitor from New Zealand.
In "Shorebirds -an identification guide" by Hayman et al. This bird is descriped as subspecies finschi:

Go back Dimitri and take a photo of the upper side of the bird( At least from the big white rump!) so that we can be sure ;-)

Click to expand...

IOC3.1 lists Haematopus finschi as a full species, South Island Oystercatcher.
MJB

MJB said:

IOC3.1 lists Haematopus finschi as a full species, South Island Oystercatcher.
MJB

Click to expand...

Yes, but is it one? I've been trawling through my pictures from adjacent dates... but have no more of this bird... I attach one more of a proper Pied O which is from the 6th if the same month... damnit! :C

[I find it interesting, however, that this bird shows some white edges on the inner secondaries...]

Hi Dimitris,
Photo 1: I can't really see much white at the base of the primaries and secondaries. It looks more like reflecting light in these areas. The white pattern of the underwing coverts doesn't look too bad for a 'regular' Australian Pied Oystercatcher.
Photo 2: Yes, classic Australian Pied Oystercatcher and two Sooties.
Photo 3: The bird doesn't look particularly short-legged and long- and thin-billed. Especially in comparison to Photo 4.
Additional Photo: Yes, I agree, this one doesn't look too bad for a 'regular' Australian Pied Oystercatcher.

Cheers,

Nikolas