South Island Pied Oystercatcher

Very high tide today and a very strong wind so the oystercatchers were hunkering down on the water's edge. The sand was blowing really hard, and the water was coming in very fast so they were being pushed up the beach. Not the best day for bird photography as the wind gusts made it hard to stand.

Interesting bird, apparently distributed round the world, with a discussion continuing as to whether this particular sub species is endemic to NZ. We do have a couple of endemic oystercatchers, a variable one which is black and one on the Chatham Islands which is highly endangered.


These were hunted until 1940, when they were protected and have since increased in numbers and are now not considered threatened.

Liked the water today, nice patterns

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