New Zealand Oyster Catchers

Variable Oyster Catchers are easily recognizable on the coastline of New Zealand as they have black plumage, bright orange eyes and beak with a tinge of yellow at the tip.

New Zealand Oyster Catchers: Scientific Name:
Haematopus unicolor

share to Facebook Two Variable Oyster Catchers decide to take a stroll along the shore of Ocean Bay in the Marlborough District on the South Island of New Zealand in search of food. These types of birds are found exclusively around New Zealand and you can see these unique looking birds along the coastline of any of the islands.

Variable Oyster Catchers spend a great deal of time around the beach areas and in the mudflats as this is where they find most of their food which consists of crab, worms, snails and mollusks. Their long orange and yellow colored beaks aid them in stabbing shells to create holes or twisting them to crack them open.

The Variable Oyster Catcher are the only species with a completely black plumage but some of them may be...




Picture of New Zealand Oyster Catchers
Photo of two Variable Oyster Catchers wading in the water of Ocean Bay on the South Island of New Zealand.

Stock photo path: Photos: New Zealand Pictures:
New Zealand Oyster Catchers


... black and white in color. Their orange colored eyes when looking at you are beautiful but at the same time, a little eerie looking.

Oyster catchers around New Zealand are very territorial and on the rare occasion have been seen forming flocks. They usually breed in December and January and the females average three eggs which can take approximately three and a half to four weeks to hatch.

When sitting along the beach in New Zealand, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for any Variable Oyster Catchers searching for food along the shoreline. You can spend hours watching these birds as they busily search for food and make an incredible amount of noise.

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


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Variable Oyster Catchers are easily recognizable on the coastline of New Zealand as they have black plumage, bright orange eyes and beak with a tinge of yellow at the tip.

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Stock photo title:
New Zealand Oyster Catchers
Variable Oyster Catchers are easily recognizable on the coastline of New Zealand as they have black plumage, bright orange eyes and beak with a tinge of yellow at the tip.
Scientific name:
Haematopus Unicolor
Photographer:
Rolf Hicker Photography
Stock photo ID:
nzk3s3187 - New Zealand Oyster Catchers