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Sooty Oystercatcher
Haematopus fulignosus
Conservation Status
Vulnerable species in New South Wales (Threatened Species Conservation Act).
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What does it look like?It is a large wader, reaching 50 cm in length. Similar to the Pied Oystercatcher, the Sooty Oystercatcher has a bright orange-red bill, eye-ring and iris, and coral pink legs and feet. However, the Sooty Oystercatcher has entirely black plumage. Sexes are separable when together, with the female having a longer, more slender bill. (from DEC-NSW Threatened Species Profile) |
Where does it live?
It is a strictly coastal species endemic to Australia. They occur all around the coast of both mainland Australia and Tasmania. There are two subspecies: opthalmicus on the northern coastline of Australia, and fuliginosus on the southern coastline. The species occurs all along the NSW coast, but apparently breeds only on offshore islands. They favour intertidal rock platforms and reefs for feeding, but also forage on ocean beaches and occasionally estuarine mudflats. Sooty Oystercatchers move to mainland rocky shores in summer and then ocean beaches in winter. These regular movements between habitats correspond to a reduced period of exposure of rocky intertidal feeding sites during winter.
Pittwater Council area includes ten major coastal rock platforms from Narrabeen Headland in the south to Barrenjoey Headland in the north. Particularly suitable areas for Sooty Oystercatchers are located at Turimetta Head, Mona Vale Headland, Bungan Head/Little Reef, South Bilgola Headland, Bangalley Head, Little Head and Barrenjoey Headland. There have been records from a number of rock platforms along the Pittwater coast. They are usually seen as singles, pairs or in small autumn and winter flocks. A group of 23 Sooty Oystercatchers observed at Bungan Head and Little Reef in late May 1998 is particularly significant. This is one of the largest concentrations of the species recorded in New South Wales. Pittwater rock platforms are clearly important feeding areas for them and much more important than has previously been recognised.
What does it eat?
They take a wide range of prey, including various molluscs (limpets, snails, mussels, chitons and pipis), crustaceans (crabs, barnacles and sandhoppers), marine worms, sea-squirts and even washed up dead fish. They have not been recorded feeding on local beaches. Possibly the high level of human disturbance and the continual removal of seaweed at local beaches discourage the birds from feeding on the beaches in winter as reported in Victoria.
What is its life cycle?
They only breed on offshore islands. The nest is a simple scrape in sand or shingle, sometimes in a small cave or under grass tussocks or on top of a rock. Generally two, rarely three, eggs are laid between October and December.
The total Australian population has been estimated at 4000. The New South Wales population is estimated at about 200 birds spread fairly evenly along the coast. This number fluctuates each year with the influx of young birds during the breeding season
Updated: 28 Jun 2011
Related Links
- Sooty Oystercatcher - DEC-NSW Threatened Species Profile