Variable Oystercatcher
Scientific name: Haematopus unicolor
Common name: Variable oystercatcher
Maori name: Toreapango
'Kleep' is the call this Variable oystercatcher is making while in flight, while on the ground he makes a 'hu-eep' alarm call. They fly strongly and directly, but do not tend to fly up in flocks.
Variable oystercatchers are coastal birds and widespread along the coastline of New Zealand. They are the only oystercatcher that show plumage variations, with the birds seen in two main plumage phases: either all black or a pied form. The black form is more common in the South Island. They are protected and endemic.
Waikuku Beach, North Canterbury, NZ
Variable Oystercatcher
Scientific name: Haematopus unicolor
Common name: Variable oystercatcher
Maori name: Toreapango
'Kleep' is the call this Variable oystercatcher is making while in flight, while on the ground he makes a 'hu-eep' alarm call. They fly strongly and directly, but do not tend to fly up in flocks.
Variable oystercatchers are coastal birds and widespread along the coastline of New Zealand. They are the only oystercatcher that show plumage variations, with the birds seen in two main plumage phases: either all black or a pied form. The black form is more common in the South Island. They are protected and endemic.
Waikuku Beach, North Canterbury, NZ