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Australian Pied Oystercatcher

Australian Pied Oystercatcher (Image ID 45642)
Photographed byMichael Hamel-Green on Wed 7th Apr, 2021 and uploaded on Fri 9th Apr, 2021 .
Resolution1800x1001
Viewed373
ID45642
CommentOne of the pleasures of being a newcomer to birdwatcher is sighting a relatively less common species for the first time. Here is a group of the very eye-catching Australian Pied Oystercatchers, sporting their bright orange eyes and matching beaks, black jackets, white underbellies, and pinkish pins. I found this group near an outflow at the eastern end of The Spit. Unfortunately, their numbers are getting low indeed. According to the Victorian Wader Study Group, there are only around 1,500 individuals left in Victoria and 10,000 across Australia, with their NSW population listed as endangered. The banded bird in the front centre is probably one of the birds being studied by the VWSG. As for the reason for their vulnerability, it’s the usual suspect, human encroachment. Stephen Totterman in his recent research report (2020) on Pied Oystercatchers in NSW cites the problems caused by impacts on breeding habitats due to “beach front development and uncontrolled beach driving and human recreation”, and concludes “Without strong protection of habitat from human recreation disturbance, the NSW oystercatcher breeding population size will continue to decrease in the next two decades”. Marj Webber further notes that Pied Oystercatcher nests “are out in the open on sandy beaches” and “are very vulnerable to predators such as raptors, off-leash dogs and cats. Nests are very hard to spot and it is easy to step on them while walking on the beach”. Birdlife Australia’s bird profile observes that they are ”shy of humans and seldom allow close approach”. No wonder! And I was no exception, no matter my benign intentions. As soon as they caught sight of me, off they flew.
EquipmentNikon Z7ii, Nikon 300mm PF f420, Nikon TC1.4 420mm ISO 1000 1/1000th f14
LocationWerribee Treatment Plant, Werribee, Victoria
Keywordsadult
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