Unsorted Wild Birds

South Island Oystercatchers or South Island Pied Oystercatchers

The South Island Oystercatcher or South Island Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi) is one of the two common oystercatchers found in New Zealand. Its name is often contracted to the acronym “SIPO” (rhyming with “typo”).

Description

Easily identifiable as a pied oystercatcher – a large wader with striking black and white plumage, long red-orange bill and red legs. Distinguish from pied morph (genetic mutation) of Variable Oystercatcher by white lower back, more white on wing and demarcation line of black and white on breast further forward.

Distinguish from Pied Oystercatcher by longer bill and shorter legs as well as forward demarcation line of white on back being pointed rather than square. Measurements: length 46 cm; wingspan 80-86 cm; weight 550 g.

Distribution and habitat

The South Island Pied Oystercatcher is endemic to New Zealand where it breeds inland on the South Island, after which most of the population moves to estuaries and harbours on the North Island. It has been recorded occasionally as a vagrant on Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, and the eastern coast of mainland Australia.

Its breeding habitat comprises braided river systems, open paddocks and cultivated land, lake beaches, subalpine tundra and fields. Non-breeding habitat includes coastal estuaries, bays, beaches, sandflats and intertidal mudflats.

Food

Mainly mollusks and worms.

Voice

Piping calls, used socially and aggressively; also piercing alarm call and a quiet flight call.

Breeding

Nests in sand scrapes on farmland or gravel banks in braided rivers. Clutch usually 2, sometimes 3, brown eggs, blotched dark and pale brown. Incubation period 24-28 days, with both sexes incubating. Young precocial and nidifugous; fledging 6 weeks after hatching.

Conservation

The population of this species declined, mainly because of hunting, during the late 19th century and early 20th century but, with legal protection since 1940, has since been increasing. In 2002 the total population was estimated to be 110,000. Its conservation status is of Least Concern.

Oystercatchers … Oystercatcher Species Photo Gallery

 
 
 
 
 

Gordon Ramel

Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.

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