- Haematopus longirostris
Identification
5–8 cm long orange-red beak, orange eye ring, red eye, pink legs, black and white plumage, white wing-stripe. The male and female are similar but males have a shorter, wider beak. White breast and belly.
Similar Species
- South Island Oystercatcher: occurs in New Zealand.
- Sooty Oystercatcher: has all black plumage.
Distribution
Coasts and islands of Australasia.
Taxonomy
A monotypic species.
Habitat
Sandy coastlines, mudflats, sandbanks.
Behaviour
Diet includes bivalve molluscs and other invertebrates
Nests are shallow scrapes. 2-3 pale brown with darker brown and black blotches and streaks eggs are produced. Both sexes share parenting duties.
