Photo: Pwhdavey - Paul Davey / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Shorebirds

South Island Oystercatcher

Haematopus finschi

South Island Oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Australia & Oceania.

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Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

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Birds of Australia Birds of New Zealand Birds of New South Wales Birds of Queensland Birds of Tasmania Birds of Victoria

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The South Island Oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi) is a member of the Haematopodidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 526 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Haematopodidae Oystercatchers
Genus Haematopus
Species finschi

Where it lives

Inland South I. (New Zealand)

Australia & Oceania

Quick facts

Weight: 526 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Haematopodidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Endangered

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The South Island Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The South Island Oystercatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The South Island Oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi) belongs to the Haematopodidae family of the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU inland South I. (New Zealand).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 526 g, with a wing length of about 25.2 cm and a tail of around 9.3 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 46,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Songs & calls

South Island Oystercatcher — Call

Recorded by Frank Lambert Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the South Island Oystercatcher?

The South Island Oystercatcher is a large bird that weighs around 526 g.

Where does the South Island Oystercatcher live?

The South Island Oystercatcher is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU inland South I. (New Zealand), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the South Island Oystercatcher belong to?

The South Island Oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi) belongs to the Haematopodidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the South Island Oystercatcher eat?

The South Island Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the South Island Oystercatcher migrate?

The South Island Oystercatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the South Island Oystercatcher endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the South Island Oystercatcher make?

1 real field recording of the South Island 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 South Island Oystercatcher's range?

The South Island Oystercatcher has a mapped global range of about 46,000 km².