Why is an oystercatcher called an oystercatcher?

What is the most common oystercatcher in NZ?

The South Island pied oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi), sometimes simply called SIPO, is the most common oystercatcher in New Zealand, numbering around 112,000 birds in 1994. Its Māori name is tōrea. It has a black head and upper surfaces, and a white belly.

What is a variable oystercatcher?

The variable oystercatcher ( Haematopus unicolor, tōrea or tōreapango) is found on rocky and sandy beaches. It is rarer than the South Island pied oystercatcher, with a population of about 5,000 birds. Also known as the black oystercatcher, it varies from black-and-white to pure black, with the black morph more common further south.

How many oystercatchers are there on Chatham Island?

03:16 – Chatham Island oystercatcher/tōrea song. Thanks to the efforts of an intensive management progamme, bird numbers have increased and the future outlook for the species looks quietly optimistic. In December 2004 the oystercatcher population included 88 breeding pairs and a total of 311 birds.

What are the top 10 most common birds in New Zealand?

1 Kiwi. 2 Kea. 3 Yellow-Eyed Penguins. 4 Tui. 5 New Zealand Bellbird. 6 Tomtit. 7 Wood Pigeon. 8 The New Zealand Fantail. 9 Morepork. 10 New Zealand Falcon. More items…

What does a Stewart Island variable oystercatcher look like?

All Stewart Island variable oystercatchers are black. The have pink legs, an orange eye ring and red beaks. They are often seen in pairs on the coast all around New Zealand. During breeding, the pair will defend their territory, sometimes aggressively.

What is an oystercatcher bird?

Oystercatcher (1) This is the oystercatcher, a New Zealand shoreline bird. The name, however, is a bit of a misnomer, at least for the birds here in New Zealand, since many of them here never catch or eat oysters.

What kind of oystercatcher is black in colour?

Adults have black upperparts, their underparts vary from all black, through a range of ‘smudgy’ intermediate states to white. Variable oystercatcher ( Haematopus unicolo r) occur around most of the coastline of New Zealand, and breed most commonly on sandy beaches, sandspits and in dunes.

What is another name for a variable oystercatcher?

The Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) is a species of wader in the Haematopodidae family. It is endemic to New Zealand. The Maori name is torea-pango. They are also known as ‘red bills’.

How many species of Chathams are there in New Zealand?

Fulica chathamensisextinct (subfossil) SPECIES NAME STATUS NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL AND CHATHAM ISLANDS THREAT RANK (CHATHAM BREEDERS ONLY) 111 New Zealand pied oystercatcher New Zealand endemic, Haematopus finschivagrant Chathams Chatham Island oystercatcher Chatham Islands endemic, Nationally critical

What birds live on Chatham Island?

Chatham Islands snipe and Forbes’ parakeets are common, and the shore platforms are home to Chatham Island oystercatchers. New Zealand shore plover have recently been translocated from Rangatira.

How many species of oystercatchers are there?

Oystercatchers are found on every continent except Antarctica. In South America the Falkland Islands, New Zealand and Australia one of the pair of species is pied the other black. There is still no uniform agreement on how many species of oystercatchers there are. Sibley & Monroe (1990) and Clements (1991) lists 11 species.

Is the New Zealand owl a type of pig?

It is a popular bird in New Zealand and is capable of thriving anywhere in the country. They are also very brave birds that often fly close to people without any fear. No, it is not a type of pig. In fact, it is a type of owl and is New Zealand’s last living native owl species.

Where can I find a bird nest in New Zealand?

Their nests are mainly found in a tree fork under dense cover. Unusually for NZ birds the nests are close to the ground and can be found from ground level to only 500mm above the ground. They normally have two broods per season with 3 or 4 eggs each time .

What are the most common birds in New Zealand?

The highest numbers of birds only found in New Zealand, such as tūī, riroriro, pīwakawaka (fantail) and kererū (wood pigeon), were found on island sites, where native species outnumbered introduced species

What is the middle section of Stewart Island?

The middle section of Stewart Island from west to east coast comprises: Mason Bay, the Freshwater Flats / Freshwater Valley and Paterson Inlet. Mason Bay has approximately 14 kms (9 miles) of curved beach, one of the most extensive natural sand dune systems in New Zealand with native coastal plants.

Why are some oystercatchers different colors?

These color differences are attributed to the latitude of the habitat, where the northernmost oystercatchers have significantly more white on their bodies than those of southern origin. All Stewart Island variable oystercatchers are black. They have pink legs, an orange eye ring and orange-red beaks.

What is the difference between a variable oystercatcher and SiPo?

Variable oystercatcher. The variable species has less definition between the black and the white area, as well as a mottled band on the leading edges of the underwing. Variables also have a smaller white rump patch which is only a band across the base of the tail rather than a wide wedge shape reaching up to the middle of the back as in the SIPO.

Is the oystercatcher on the Red List?

Listed as Near Threatened on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Oystercatcher is very noisy wading bird with a loud ‘peep-ing’ call. On the coast, it specialises in eating shellfish, particularly cockles and mussels, which it either prises or hammers open with its strong, flattened bill.

What birds live on the Chatham Islands?

The mollymawk (albatross), royal albatross, parea (pigeon), Chatham Island and Pitt Island shags, tui, re-crowned parakeet, warbler and oystercatcher can all be found on the Chatham Islands. The resident fur seal colonies are easy to visit and passing dolphins and orca can sometimes be seen from the shore.

How many parakeets are there on Chatham Island?

There are currently around 30 breeding pairs and the entire known population is found in the southwestern forests of Chatham Island. The Chatham Island red-crowned Parakeet occurs on the 4 largest islands, but their stronghold is on Rangatira Island (Southeast Island).

When did Chatham Islands become part of New Zealand?

The Chatham Islands officially became part of the Colony of New Zealand in 1842; in 1863 the resident magistrate declared the Moriori released from slavery. The Chatham Islands include New Zealand’s easternmost point, the Forty-Fours. Waitangi is the main port and settlement.