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Pied Oystercatcher
Haematopus longirostris
Conservation Status
Vulnerable species in New South Wales (Threatened Species Conservation Act). This species currently has a preliminary determination to be listed as Endangered.
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What does it look like?It is a large, black and white wader which reaches up to 50 cm in length. The back, head and breast are black, and the belly, rump and tail are white. The tail is tipped black. The eye-ring, iris and bill are brilliant scarlet and its legs are stout and coral pink (from DEC - NSW Threatened Species). |
Where does it live?
The Pied Oystercatcher favours ocean beaches and estaurine sand and mudflats. At high tide, when their feeding grounds are covered, they gather in small flocks to roost on rocks or mud islands above water.
This species occurs around the entire Australian coastline, including Tasmania. The Australian population (it can be found in New Zealand and southern New Guinea as well) is estimated at 10,000. In NSW there is around 250 of these spread fairly evenly along the coast. In Pittwater the Pied Oystercatcher was originally a resident breeding species but the high levels of human disturbance on the local beaches and mudflats have since rendered them uninhabitable for this species. It now only occurs as a very rare and unusual visitor to the area.
What does it eat?
They feed almost entirely in the intertidal zone on sandy beaches and mudflats. Their main prey appears to be molluscs, both bivalves and gastropods. They amy also take marine worms and small fish.
What is its life cycle?
Eggs are laid between September and January in NSW however at this time of year the level of disturbance on local beaches is probably too high to permit nesting. The nest is a scrape in sand or shingle on coastal or estaurine beaches, typically near the high tide mark. The usual clutch is two and only one brood is raised per season. A pair will stay together and breed in the same site in successive years.
What are the threats and how can we protect it?
Threats include human disturbance to coastal feeding, nesting and roosting areas, predation of eggs and chicks by foxes, dogs, cats, Australian Ravens, raptors and artificially high populations of Silver Gulls, habitat destruction as a result of coastal development, hydrological changes to estuaries and similar water bodies causing modification or removal of important areas of suitable habitat, over-harvesting of a key food source, the Pipi.
Unfortunately, the species is unlikely to recolonise its former habitats in the Pittwater area in the foreseeable future because of the high levels of human disturbance on coastal beaches and estuarine mudflats. However, maintaining control over domestic animals and restricting them from entering areas of sensitive habitat benefits all native fauna.
Updated: 21 Jun 2011
Related Links
- South Coast Shorebirds - Shorebird Recovery Program (image)
- DEC - NSW Threatened Species Profile - Pied Oystercatcher