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Variable Oystercatcher
Haematopus unicolor
-37.7571, 176.48
Field Notes
Description:
Endemic oystercatcher to New Zealand. It has 3 colour morphs to really confuse things. The individuals here are dark morph being completely black plumage with bright orange bill and eye-ring and pink legs. There is also a pied morph and an intermediate morph. They are quite a large oystercatcher measuring 47-49cm in length and weighing in at just over 700gms.
Habitat:
Found all around the New Zealand coast line including Stewart Island. These birds were roosting up near the high water mark.
Notes:
Its interesting to note that the colour morphs tend to be related to geographic distribution. Black birds are less common in the north and central North Island (approx 43%) and far more common in the South and Stewart Islands (85-94% of the population).
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedFebruary 21, 2016
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