Photo: pjd1 / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Chatham Islands Oystercatcher
Haematopus chathamensis
Chatham Islands Oystercatcher (Haematopus chathamensis) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Australia & Oceania.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Chatham Islands Oystercatcher (Haematopus chathamensis) is a member of the Haematopodidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 599 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Haematopodidae Oystercatchers
- Genus Haematopus
- Species chathamensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 599 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Haematopodidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Chatham Islands Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Chatham Islands Oystercatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Chatham Islands Oystercatcher (Haematopus chathamensis) belongs to the Haematopodidae family of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Chatham Is. (e of South I., New Zealand).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 599 g, with a wing length of about 25.2 cm and a tail of around 9.3 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 24 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Chatham Islands Oystercatcher?
The Chatham Islands Oystercatcher is a large bird that weighs around 599 g.
Where does the Chatham Islands Oystercatcher live?
The Chatham Islands Oystercatcher is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Chatham Is. (e of South I., New Zealand), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Chatham Islands Oystercatcher belong to?
The Chatham Islands Oystercatcher (Haematopus chathamensis) belongs to the Haematopodidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Chatham Islands Oystercatcher eat?
The Chatham Islands Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Chatham Islands Oystercatcher migrate?
The Chatham Islands Oystercatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Chatham Islands Oystercatcher endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Chatham Islands Oystercatcher make?
1 real field recording of the Chatham Islands Oystercatcher — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Chatham Islands Oystercatcher's range?
The Chatham Islands Oystercatcher has a mapped global range of about 24 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Haematopodidae
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Extinct
Least Concern
More in Shorebirds
Near Threatened
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern