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| + | '''Alternative name: African Black Oystercatcher''' | ||
;[[:Category:Haematopus|Haematopus]] moquini | ;[[:Category:Haematopus|Haematopus]] moquini | ||
| − | [[Image:African_Black_Oystercatcher_GarethH_CapeAgulhas.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by GarethH<br>Cape Agulhas, South Africa]] | + | [[Image:African_Black_Oystercatcher_GarethH_CapeAgulhas.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|GarethH}}<br />Cape Agulhas, [[South Africa]]]] |
| − | [[Image:African_Oystercatcher.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by balticbird]] | + | [[Image:African_Oystercatcher.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|balticbird}}]] |
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
Length 42-45 cm, mass 582-835 g. Females larger than males. '''Adult''': Black with an orange-red bill, red eyes, an orange eye ring and pink legs and feet. '''Immatures''': Duller than adults, bill and eyes brown, eye ring narrow and legs and feet grey. | Length 42-45 cm, mass 582-835 g. Females larger than males. '''Adult''': Black with an orange-red bill, red eyes, an orange eye ring and pink legs and feet. '''Immatures''': Duller than adults, bill and eyes brown, eye ring narrow and legs and feet grey. | ||
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Coast of [[South Africa]], [[Namibia]] and southern [[Angola]]. | Coast of [[South Africa]], [[Namibia]] and southern [[Angola]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | + | *A monotypic species. | |
| − | + | *The [[Canary Islands Oystercatcher]] (''H. meadewaldoi''; extinct) is split from the African Oystercatcher. | |
| − | The [[Canary Islands Oystercatcher]] '' | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Rocky shores and sandy beaches; sometimes estuaries, lagoons and coastal pans. | Rocky shores and sandy beaches; sometimes estuaries, lagoons and coastal pans. | ||
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==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
Forages in the intertidal zone, mainly for limpets and mussels; feeds both at night and during the day. Usually forages in pairs or small groups, and roosts communally. | Forages in the intertidal zone, mainly for limpets and mussels; feeds both at night and during the day. Usually forages in pairs or small groups, and roosts communally. | ||
'''Breeding''': The nest is a scrape in the ground above the high-water mark (but usually within 30 m thereof). One to three eggs are laid September to April. | '''Breeding''': The nest is a scrape in the ground above the high-water mark (but usually within 30 m thereof). One to three eggs are laid September to April. | ||
| − | + | ==Conservation Status== | |
| + | Classified as '''Near-threatened''' in the 2007 IUCN Red List (BirdLife International, 2007): Human disturbance (on the mainland) and introduced predators and diseases (on islands) are the main threats to this species which is present in relatively low numbers (about 6000 individuals) and has a low rate of reproduction. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | BirdLife International 2007. Species factsheet: ''Haematopus moquini''. Downloaded from [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html http://www.birdlife.org] on 14/2/2008. | + | # BirdLife International 2007. Species factsheet: ''Haematopus moquini''. Downloaded from [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html http://www.birdlife.org] on 14/2/2008. |
| − | + | # Claassens A & Marais E 2008. Species information page - African Black Oystercatcher. SASOL Bird e-Guide. Downloaded from [http://www.birdlife.org.za/fieldguide/book/species_info.php?id=114 http://www.birdlife.org.za/fieldguide] on 25 January 2008. | |
| − | Claassens A & Marais E 2008. Species information page - African Black Oystercatcher. SASOL Bird e-Guide. Downloaded from [http://www.birdlife.org.za/fieldguide/book/species_info.php?id=114 http://www.birdlife.org.za/fieldguide] on 25 January 2008. | + | # Hockey P.A.R., W.R.J. Dean, & P.G. Ryan (eds.). 2005. ''Roberts Birds of Southern Africa''. 7th ed. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533 |
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| − | Hockey | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Haematopus+moquini}} | {{GSearch|Haematopus+moquini}} | ||
| − | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Haematopus]] | |
| − | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Haematopus]] | ||
Revision as of 19:32, 18 July 2008
Alternative name: African Black Oystercatcher
- Haematopus moquini
Photo by {{{2}}}
Identification
Length 42-45 cm, mass 582-835 g. Females larger than males. Adult: Black with an orange-red bill, red eyes, an orange eye ring and pink legs and feet. Immatures: Duller than adults, bill and eyes brown, eye ring narrow and legs and feet grey.
Distribution
Coast of South Africa, Namibia and southern Angola.
Taxonomy
- A monotypic species.
- The Canary Islands Oystercatcher (H. meadewaldoi; extinct) is split from the African Oystercatcher.
Habitat
Rocky shores and sandy beaches; sometimes estuaries, lagoons and coastal pans.
Behaviour
Forages in the intertidal zone, mainly for limpets and mussels; feeds both at night and during the day. Usually forages in pairs or small groups, and roosts communally.
Breeding: The nest is a scrape in the ground above the high-water mark (but usually within 30 m thereof). One to three eggs are laid September to April.
Conservation Status
Classified as Near-threatened in the 2007 IUCN Red List (BirdLife International, 2007): Human disturbance (on the mainland) and introduced predators and diseases (on islands) are the main threats to this species which is present in relatively low numbers (about 6000 individuals) and has a low rate of reproduction.
References
- BirdLife International 2007. Species factsheet: Haematopus moquini. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 14/2/2008.
- Claassens A & Marais E 2008. Species information page - African Black Oystercatcher. SASOL Bird e-Guide. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org.za/fieldguide on 25 January 2008.
- Hockey P.A.R., W.R.J. Dean, & P.G. Ryan (eds.). 2005. Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. 7th ed. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533
