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The rarest Oystercatcher species in the world (88 breeding pairs and 311 birds as of the 2004 census (NZ Department of Conservation)), the Chatham Island Oystercatcher is found only on South East Island, Pitt Island, Mangere Island amd Chatham Island in the [[Chatham Islands]], [[New Zealand]]. | The rarest Oystercatcher species in the world (88 breeding pairs and 311 birds as of the 2004 census (NZ Department of Conservation)), the Chatham Island Oystercatcher is found only on South East Island, Pitt Island, Mangere Island amd Chatham Island in the [[Chatham Islands]], [[New Zealand]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Monotypic. Considered by some to be a subspecies of [[''Haematopus unicolor | + | Monotypic. Considered by some to be a subspecies of [[''Haematopus unicolor'']]. |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Revision as of 18:24, 6 September 2009
- Haematopus chathamensis
Identification
48 cm. Black head, neck, upperparts, upper breast, white underparts, slight smudging of colours in the border of the chest feathers, orange eye ring, long tapering orange-red bill, thick, short pink-red legs. Juvenile - deeply speckled underparts, white tail band.
The Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) looks very similar but their ranges do not overlap so no confusion possible.
Distribution
The rarest Oystercatcher species in the world (88 breeding pairs and 311 birds as of the 2004 census (NZ Department of Conservation)), the Chatham Island Oystercatcher is found only on South East Island, Pitt Island, Mangere Island amd Chatham Island in the Chatham Islands, New Zealand.
Taxonomy
Monotypic. Considered by some to be a subspecies of ''Haematopus unicolor''.
Habitat
Rocky and sandy coasts, lagoons, ponds and farmland near the coast.
Behaviour
The Chatham Island Oystercatcher lives on a diet of marine molluscs, worms and other invertebrates.
It nests in scrapes on sandy and rocky shores, away from the waterline. 2-3 eggs are laid.
Vocalisation
They vigorously defend their territories using loud shrill piping calls and displays. Their distinctive call is also readily identifiable when the birds are in flight.
References
BirdLife International; ARKive
