Variable Oystercatcher South Island NZ
Photo & Vacation Spot

A busy bird, the variable oystercatcher is always on the move foraging for food on mudflats and beaches on both the North and South Island of New Zealand.

They are called Variable Oystercatchers because there is a considerable amount of colour variation within the species. Some birds are pure black while others have a white belly and can therefore be difficult to distinguish from the South Island Pied Oystercatcher. The main difference between the two is the white strip between the tip of the wings and the chest on the Pied oystercatcher.

The variable oystercatcher can be found along rocky or sandy coasts on the north and south islands of New Zealand. They are always busy at work and are an interesting bird to observe.

Variable Oyster Catcher, Haematopus unicolor, along the beach at Ocean Bay, Port Underwood, Marlborough District, South Island, New Zealand.