The variable oystercatcher, like its name suggests, is variable in colour from completely black to pied (the photo on the right shows an almost black adult with a pied juvenile). They have a long orangey-red bill and eye, with pink legs. They are slightly larger (48cm) than the pied oystercatcher (46cm). The juvenile is brownish black and the bill is brown/black and starts to colour up from about 3 months old.

They feed on molluscs, worms, crabs, small invertebrates and even small fish.  They use their strong beak to split open bi-valves (shells that open and are joined at a central point), especially oysters around oyster beds, thus giving them their name.

Oystercatchers remain in breeding pairs all year long and often stay within the breeding territory all year. They first breed at the age of three years. They breed on rocky and sandy coasts making their nest, a shallow scrape, on sandy beaches or rocky ledges. They lay two or three eggs, which are incubated for about 28 days by both sexes. The chicks walk around from two days old but stay close to their parents to be fed for about three weeks. Although they learn to fly at 6-7 weeks old they don't leave the natal territory until about three months old.  The parents closely guard their young, even being known to fly at and dive bomb humans who venture too close to the natal territory!
The oystercatchers call in flight with a loud shrill 'kleep'.

Several pairs of variable oystercatchers breed on Tiritiri Matangi. There are often breeding pairs within close proximity of the wharf area, highly visible to visitors. They have been known to nest very close to the platform at Hobbs Beach, apparently undisturbed by people sunbathing and having picnics within a few metres of their nest. Even in these apparently unfavourable circumstances, they have successfully fledged two chicks.

Find out more about variable oystercatchers at New Zealand Birds Online.

Photography by: Dr Kerry Rodgers ©

References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.