Variable Oystercatcher2 is a photograph by Eva Lechner which was uploaded on December 25th, 2022.
Variable Oystercatcher2
Variable oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) occur around most of the coastline of New Zealand, and breed most commonly on sandy beaches, sandspits... more
by Eva Lechner
Title
Variable Oystercatcher2
Artist
Eva Lechner
Medium
Photograph
Description
Variable oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) occur around most of the coastline of New Zealand, and breed most commonly on sandy beaches, sandspits and in dunes.
They are very vocal; loud piping is used in territorial interactions and when alarmed. Chicks are warned of danger with a sharp, loud ‘chip’ or ‘click’.
Their status is 'Endemic, Recovering'.
Appearance
Adults have black upperparts, their underparts vary from all black, through a range of ‘smudgy’ intermediate states to white. The proportion of all-black birds increases as you head south.
They have a conspicuous long bright orange bill (longer in females), and stout coral-pink legs; their eyes have a red iris and the eye-ring is orange.
The pied morph (the form that has both dark and light colours) of the variable oystercatcher can be confused with the South Island pied oystercatcher.
Uploaded
December 25th, 2022
More from Eva Lechner
Comments (5)
Antonis Meintanis
Wonderful capture and pose dear Eva !! very beautiful colours and details !! 👍 👌Best Wishes !👌favvv👌
Don Columbus
Congratulations, your work is Featured in "Birds In Focus" I invite you to place it in the group's "2020-2023 Featured Image Archive Discussion"!
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