SHOREBIRDS of Australasia
Most Shorebirds walk along shores probing for food with their thin sensitive bills. Bill length varies considerably so differing species can work the same shore and obtain different food supplies. Shorebirds include sandpipers, godwits, stilts, oystercatchers, plovers, and many more. Shorebirds belong to the Charadriiformes order which also includes the Gulls and Allies.
Note: the term Shorebirds is used in the Americas; elsewhere "waders" is used. We will reserve "waders" for herons and allies.
Note: the term Shorebirds is used in the Americas; elsewhere "waders" is used. We will reserve "waders" for herons and allies.
Oystercatchers
Order Charadriiformes Suborder Charadrii Family Haematopodidae - 1 genus
Oystercatchers have long and thick orange or red bills that they used for smashing or openning mollusks. Inland species eat worms and larvae.
Genus Haematopus
Oystercatcher, Sooty Haematopus fuliginosus Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1, 2) JJ Harrison - Tasmania, Australia 3) Glen Fergus on Ladt Elliot Island, Australia
Oystercatcher, Variable Haematopus unicolor Endemic to New Zealand
Photographed by: 1, 3) Dick Daniels - New Zealand 2, 4) Dick - New Zealand
1, 2) Black variant 3, 4) Mottled variant
Oystercatcher, Pied Haematopus longirostris Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - Australia 2, 3) Dick - Australia 4) JJ - Tasmania, Australia
Oystercatcher, South Island aka South Island Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus finschi Found: New Zealand
Photographed by Paul Davey at Toko Mouth, Otago, New Zealand
All photos on this site are available for general use. Please credit the photographer. Some images have additional constraints such as no commercial use or no modifications. Click the photo credit link for details. Dick Daniels, webmaster.