Haematopus unicolor, Tōrea Pango / Variable Oystercatcher
Last Modified: 11-4-2020 19:21
Haematopus unicolor, Tōrea Pango / Variable Oystercatcher are a medium sized shore bird common throughout New Zealand, commonly seen in estuarine environments where they feed on shellfish, crabs, and worms amongst other things. Oystercatchers come in several morphs* with a fully black morph, and a pied black and white morph. Birds are monogamous and typically nest on sandy beaches.
Variable oystercatchers can be seen throughout Marlborough in coastal environments including the east coast, and Marlborough Sounds.
This pair are the pied morph and were observed at Umungata Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound.
*A morph is a colour variation within the same species.
Image Date: 4/1/2020
Photographer: Christopher Cookson
Location: Latitude: -41.254967 Longitude: 173.940109