Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Shorebirds

Variable Oystercatcher

Haematopus unicolor

Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Australia & Oceania.

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The Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) is a member of the Haematopodidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 671 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 unicolor

Where it lives

Coastal North, South and Stewart is. (New Zealand)

Australia & Oceania

Quick facts

Weight: 671 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Haematopodidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Variable Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

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

Migration

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

The Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) is a member of the Haematopodidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU coastal North, South and Stewart is. (New Zealand).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 671 g, with a wing length of about 27 cm and a tail of around 10.1 cm.

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

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 73,000 km².

Songs & calls

Variable Oystercatcher — Alarm call, call, Sound of wings

Recorded by Meena Haribal Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Variable Oystercatcher?

The Variable Oystercatcher is a large bird that weighs around 671 g.

Where does the Variable Oystercatcher live?

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

What family does the Variable Oystercatcher belong to?

The Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) belongs to the Haematopodidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Variable Oystercatcher eat?

The Variable Oystercatcher hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Variable Oystercatcher migrate?

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

Is the Variable 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 Variable Oystercatcher make?

1 real field recording of the Variable Oystercatcher — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Variable Oystercatcher's range?

The Variable Oystercatcher has a mapped global range of about 73,000 km².